The bodies of the six people who died when their private jet crashed in Maine during a snowstorm are still lying in the charred wreckage — days after the craft flipped over and burst into flames during takeoff.
The remnants of the doomed Bombardier Challenger 600, as well as the remains of those aboard, remained untouched on the frozen runway at Bangor International Airport late Tuesday as federal investigators arrived.
Local cops haven’t yet been able to access the wreckage to start positively identifying the victims after the National Transportation Safety Board asked that the “scene be preserved.”
Snow covers the wreckage of a private jet after a crash at Bangor International Airport in Maine. WVII
The twin-engine turbo-fan Bombardier Challenger 600 went up in flames after it went down at Bangor International Airport at about 7:45 p.m. during Winter Storm Fern, the Federal Aviation Administration said. @Turbinetraveler/X“At this time, the Bangor Police Department is awaiting NTSB’s approval to access the aircraft to begin the process of caring for and identifying the deceased in collaboration with the State Medical Examiner,” a Bangor police spokesman said.
The luxury business jet, which had arrived from Houston and was refueling en route to Paris, went up in flames around 7:45 p.m. Sunday — just as the nation’s massive winter storm was beginning to pound the region.
Among those on board was Tara Arnold, a 46-year-old powerhouse lawyer and mom from Texas. The jet was registered to Tara’s husband Kurt Arnold’s personal injury firm, Arnold & Itkin Law, where she also worked as a lawyer, records show.
The others killed include Shawna Collins, a 53-year-old event planner who counted the law firm among her clients; Jacob Hosmer, the 47-year-old pilot; and Nick Mastrascusa, the executive vice president of hospitality for luxury travel company, Beyond, owned by the Arnold family.
The poor visibility at the airport at the time of the crash. FAA
One of the Maine plane crash victims has been identified as lawyer Tara Arnold, the wife of Kurt Arnold, who is one of the founders of the Arnold & Itkin law firm. LinkedInThe fifth victim was identified as Shelby Kuyawa, a 34-year-old successful sommelier who was hired with Mastrascusa, a top Hawaiian chef and father of three, to work at the luxury firm late last year, sources close to the passengers to The Daily Mail.
The company allegedly provides invitation-only travel experiences for wealthy customers, including stays at five-star resorts and exclusive culinary adventures.
Event planner Shawna Collins was identified by her daughter as one of the victims killed in the crash. Instagram / Shawna Collins
Hospitality vice president Nick Mastrascusa was killed in the tragedy. Four Seasons Resort HualÄlai
Pilot Jacob Hosmer also died in the tragic plane crash. FacebookThe slain travelers were scheduled to tour a French chateau once they touched down in Paris and visit other scene stops on the ill-fated trip, the Mail reported.
The remaining unidentified victim is believed to be the plane’s co-pilot, sources told ABC13.
Meanwhile, NTSB investigators arrived on the scene Tuesday as questions mounted over whether the snowy weather and freezing temperatures played a role in the tragedy.
Additional crews were expected to arrive through Wednesday, cops said.
“When an accident such as this occurs, there are numerous local, state and federal agencies and assets that must coordinate their respective portions of the investigation,” the police spokesperson said.
“With the large number of stakeholders involved, it is important that information be confirmed and that all parties have completed their work before information is released.”
Experts have said the weather, including ice potentially accumulating on the wings, may have kept the plane from getting airborne and will likely form part of the probe’s focus.
The airport remained closed Wednesday as the investigation continued, police said.
