Six killed in fiery Maine plane crash were scouting travel destinations

The victims worked for a luxury travel startup led by a Texas lawyer and philanthropist

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Six people were killed when a small jet crashed and burst into flames during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine. The victims were flying to France's Champagne region to scout travel destinations for high-net-worth clients of a luxury travel startup founded by a Texas lawyer and philanthropist.

Why it matters

The tragic crash highlights the risks faced by private aviation and the luxury travel industry, which caters to affluent clients seeking exclusive experiences. It also shines a light on the growing concierge travel business and the ambitions of the startup's founders to expand their reach.

The details

The victims included an acclaimed chef, a sommelier, and an event planner who worked for Tara Arnold, a 46-year-old Houston lawyer-turned-entrepreneur. They were flying from Houston to France when their Bombardier Challenger 600 jet crashed during takeoff as a snowstorm moved in. The plane burst into flames, killing all six people on board.

  • The crash occurred on February 4, 2026.
  • The victims were flying to scout travel destinations for high-net-worth clients of their luxury travel startup.

The players

Tara Arnold

A 46-year-old Houston lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the luxury travel startup Beyond.

Nick Mastrascusa

A 43-year-old executive chef from Hawaii who had overseen restaurants at The Four Seasons and other resorts.

Shelby Kuyawa

A 34-year-old master sommelier who had worked at high-end properties in Hawaii and Vail, Colorado.

Shawna Collins

A 53-year-old event planner from Houston who worked for Tara Arnold's startup.

Jacob Hosmer

A 47-year-old pilot from Pearland, Texas who had joined Arnold & Itkin, Tara Arnold's law firm, as captain of their flight crew.

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What they’re saying

“Nick loved life. He embraced it with joy, humor, compassion, and soul. He believed in connection — in gathering people together, in shared meals, stories, laughter, and simply being there for one another.”

— Jorge Mastrascusa, Nick Mastrascusa's father

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

— Donald Iloff Jr., Lakewood Church spokesperson

“To know Jake, as he was so affectionately called, was to know love, kindness, hospitality and true friendship. He had the kind of laugh that made you laugh just hearing it.”

— GoFundMe post (GoFundMe)

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the crash, likely focusing on factors like the approaching snowstorm and potential ice accumulation on the wings.

The takeaway

This tragic accident underscores the risks and challenges faced by the private aviation industry, particularly when catering to the demands of high-net-worth clients. It also highlights the growing concierge travel business and the ambitions of startups like Beyond to provide exclusive experiences, even in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.