A pilot who only joined the company a year ago, a lawyer and an event planner were among the six people killed in a private jet crash.
The Paris-bound aircraft flipped over and burst into flames only moments after departing Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday evening.
Among those on board the Bombardier Challenger 600 was commercial lawyer Tara Arnold, 46, wife of personal injury lawyer Kurt Arnold.
Tara, who lived with her two children in a Houston mansion, was reportedly on her way to the French capital to enjoy a holiday with friends.
The plane was registered to Kurt’s law firm, Arnold & Itkin Law, where she also worked. Sources told ABC 13 Kurt was not on board the downed craft.
Inspired by her mother, Tara had for years dreamt of becoming a lawyer.
She wrote on her firm’s profile: ‘When someone hires a lawyer to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit, it represents years of a person’s life, their family’s future, and the power to make a living for the rest of his or her life. It’s my business to protect those things.’
Tara and her friends boarded the corporate jet from Hobby Airport in Houston and successfully landed in Maine at 6.09pm to refuel.
The craft, however, fell as it took off at around 7.45pm as a winter storm was bringing heavy snow and wind across the East Coast.
Air traffic controllers watching the scene unfold said: ‘Aircraft upside down, we have a passenger aircraft upside down.’
Texas politician Lesley Briones said of Tara: ‘She is a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service.’
Pilot Jacob Hosmer was also killed in the crash, his family confirmed to KPRC2.
His father, Gary Hosmer, said: ‘He is in Heaven now with Jesus.’
Homer had been a pilot with Arnold & Itkin Law for less than a year and had been employed at several private companies, according to his LinkedIn.
A friend told the broadcaster: ‘I would describe him as a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father.
‘He was always kind. He was always laughing.’
Shawna Collins, an event planner, has been identified as another passenger on the jet, on her way to Europe for a business trip.
The Federal Aviation Administration initially said that eight people were on board, though flight manifests revealed it was four passengers and two crew.
The cause of the crash is unclear, according to airport bosses.
The airport will be closed until at least tomorrow, with a Facebook post saying: ‘This will impact flights. Please monitor your email/text messages for communications from your airline.
‘All changes to travel plans will be communicated from the airlines directly to passengers.’
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