Six killed in Maine plane crash during takeoff

Victims include longtime Joel Osteen Ministries employee and corporate pilot recently hired at Texas law firm

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A Bombardier Challenger 600 private jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport in Maine, killing all six people on board. The victims included Shawna Collins, a longtime employee of Joel Osteen Ministries in Houston, and Jacob Hosmer, a corporate pilot recently hired at the Texas law firm linked to the plane. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Why it matters

The crash has raised questions about the safety of the Bombardier Challenger 600 model, which has been involved in previous incidents related to wing contamination in poor weather conditions. The tragedy has also impacted the Houston-based Joel Osteen Ministries and the Texas law firm that owned the private jet.

The details

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Bangor International Airport on Sunday evening as a major winter storm was moving through the area. A departing plane ahead of the Bombardier had radioed the tower that visibility was poor, but the winds were relatively mild and the snow was light. Airport officials say the plane went through the standard de-icing process before taking off. However, the Bombardier crashed during takeoff, leaving the jet burning and inverted on the tarmac.

  • The plane crashed around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2026.
  • The NTSB began its investigation on Tuesday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Shawna Collins

A 53-year-old longtime employee of Joel Osteen Ministries in Houston who was among the six killed in the crash. Collins was known for organizing parties and events for the ministry's clients.

Jacob Hosmer

A 47-year-old corporate pilot who had recently been hired as a "team captain" at the Texas law firm linked to the plane. Hosmer was a licensed flight instructor and the managing member of Platinum Skies Aviation LLC.

Arnold and Itkin Trial Lawyers

A Houston-based personal injury law firm whose co-founder is listed as the agent for the company that owned the private jet. The firm has declined to identify the passengers or comment on the crash.

Lakewood Church

The Houston-based megachurch run by Joel Osteen Ministries, which confirmed that Shawna Collins was a longtime employee.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The federal agency that began investigating the cause of the crash on Tuesday, January 30, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality.”

— Donald Iloff Jr., Spokesperson, Lakewood Church

“She was very good at it. Everybody wanted her to plan her events for them.”

— Donald Iloff Jr., Spokesperson, Lakewood Church

“She was a light that brightened our days.”

— Lakewood Church

What’s next

The NTSB said it would provide an update on the investigation on Wednesday, February 1, 2026. A preliminary report outlining the facts of the crash is expected to be released in about a month, but the final version likely won't be published for more than a year.

The takeaway

This tragic crash has raised concerns about the safety record of the Bombardier Challenger 600 model, particularly in poor weather conditions. It has also deeply impacted the Houston-based ministries and law firm connected to the victims, underscoring the human toll of such aviation disasters.