Four Victims Identified in Deadly Bangor Plane Crash

Airport closed until Thursday as NTSB investigates Maine's deadliest passenger plane crash in decades

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:15am

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A private plane crashed at the Bangor International Airport on Sunday night, killing all six people on board. Local media have identified four of the victims, including a father of three from Texas and a longtime employee of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church. The airport remains closed as federal investigators continue their review of the scene, with the NTSB expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days.

Why it matters

This tragic incident marks Maine's deadliest passenger plane crash in decades, raising concerns about aviation safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the cause. The closure of the Bangor airport also disrupts regional travel and commerce, underscoring the broader impact of such disasters.

The details

The private plane, owned by a Texas LLC with ties to a prominent Houston law firm, inverted and caught fire after attempting to take off during a significant snowstorm. Officials have not formally identified the victims, but local media reports have named four of the six people on board, including a father of three, a longtime employee of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, and the pilot.

  • The plane crash occurred on Sunday night, January 26, 2026.
  • The Bangor International Airport is expected to reopen by 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
  • The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days.

The players

Nick Mastracusa

A father of three from Texas who was identified as one of the victims in the plane crash.

Tara Arnold

An employee of the law firm Arnold & Itkin, which shares an address with the LLC that owns the crashed plane.

Shawna Collins

A 53-year-old longtime employee of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, who was among the victims.

Jacob Hosmer

The pilot of the crashed plane, according to local media reports.

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What they’re saying

“'She oversaw our customer service department. Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality.'”

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

What’s next

The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days, which should provide more information about the cause of the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic plane crash in Bangor, Maine, serves as a somber reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the need for thorough investigations to determine the root causes of such disasters, which can have far-reaching impacts on local communities and regional transportation.