Six killed in Maine plane crash were traveling for luxury travel startup

The victims included a chef, sommelier, and event planner working for a Houston lawyer's concierge travel company

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Six people were killed when a private jet crashed in Maine as they were traveling to France's Champagne region to scout a property for a luxury travel business led by a Houston lawyer. The victims included an acclaimed chef, a sommelier, and an event planner who worked for the travel company founded by Tara Arnold, a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur.

Why it matters

The tragic crash highlights the risks involved in private jet travel and the challenges facing high-end travel startups as they seek to cater to the demands of wealthy clientele. It also shines a light on the lives and careers of the victims, who were experienced hospitality professionals working to build a new luxury travel venture.

The details

The six victims were flying from Houston to France's Champagne region, stopping in Bangor, Maine to refuel, when their Bombardier Challenger 600 jet crashed as a snowstorm moved in on January 25th. The plane flipped on the runway during takeoff and burst into flames. The victims included Tara Arnold, the 46-year-old Houston lawyer who founded the concierge travel company Beyond, along with sommelier Shelby Kuyawa, 34, of Hawaii, pilots Jacob Hosmer, 47, and Jorden Reidel, 33, both of Texas, event planner Shawna Collins, 53, of Houston, and chef Nick Mastrascusa, 43, of Hawaii.

  • The plane crash occurred on January 25, 2026 as the group was taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine.
  • Arnold had recently founded the luxury travel company Beyond with her husband and business partners.

The players

Tara Arnold

A 46-year-old Houston lawyer who founded the concierge travel company Beyond with her husband.

Shelby Kuyawa

A 34-year-old master sommelier from Hawaii who worked for Arnold's travel company.

Nick Mastrascusa

A 43-year-old executive chef from Hawaii's Big Island who worked for Arnold's travel company.

Shawna Collins

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

Jacob Hosmer

A 47-year-old pilot from Pearland, Texas who was the captain of the flight crew for Arnold's travel company.

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What they’re saying

“That was the role he cherished most. He shared with them everything he loved: soccer, nature, curiosity and a deep appreciation for life.”

— Family statement (The Associated Press)

“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.”

— Family statement (The Associated Press)

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

— Donald Iloff Jr., Church spokesperson (The Associated Press)

“She celebrated everything, whether it was something monumental or super ordinary. She loved deeply, cared deeply, showed up fully and gave of herself without hesitation.”

— Amie Mcdonald, Friend of Shawna Collins (The Associated Press)

“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 (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Investigators will examine various factors that may have contributed to the crash, including the approaching snowstorm and whether ice accumulation on the wings prevented the plane from getting airborne.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the risks inherent in private jet travel, especially in challenging weather conditions, and the human toll when such accidents occur. It also highlights the ambitions and aspirations of the victims, who were working to build a new luxury travel venture catering to high-net-worth clients.