Bangor Challenger Jet Crash Kills Six; Victims Identified as Lakewood Church Event Planner, Texas Law‑Firm Pilot and Others
A Challenger private jet crashed while departing Bangor International Airport, killing six people, including longtime Lakewood Church event planner Shawna Collins — who organized high‑end events for the Arnold & Itkin law firm and was helping plan her daughter’s wedding — corporate pilot Jacob Hosmer, recently hired as a “team captain” by Arnold & Itkin and formerly of Platinum Skies Aviation, and Hawaii chef and father of three Nick Mastrascusa. The NTSB opened an on‑scene investigation and Bangor airport was closed to preserve evidence after officials said the accident jet had undergone standard de‑icing and lined up behind other aircraft that took off safely while a plane ahead had radioed that visibility was poor.
📌 Key Facts
- Six people were killed when a private Challenger jet crashed near Bangor, Maine.
- Three victims have been identified: Shawna Collins (a Lakewood Church event planner), Jacob Hosmer (a corporate pilot), and Nick Mastrascusa (a Hawaii chef and father of three).
- Shawna Collins was a longtime Lakewood Church staffer and event planner who organized high‑end events for Arnold & Itkin Trial Lawyers and was helping plan her daughter’s wedding.
- Jacob Hosmer had recently been hired as a 'team captain' pilot for Arnold & Itkin and previously ran Platinum Skies Aviation.
- The National Transportation Safety Board began an on‑scene investigation and Bangor International Airport was closed to preserve evidence, impacting dozens of flights.
- A plane ahead of the accident jet radioed that visibility was poor and chose not to depart; the accident jet had undergone standard de‑icing and had lined up behind other jets that took off safely.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms three of the victims by name and role: Lakewood Church event planner Shawna Collins, corporate pilot Jacob Hosmer, and Hawaii chef and father of three Nick Mastrascusa.
- Details that Collins was a longtime Lakewood Church staffer and event planner who organized high‑end events for Arnold & Itkin Trial Lawyers and was helping plan her daughter’s wedding.
- Confirms Hosmer had only recently been hired as a 'team captain' pilot for Arnold & Itkin and previously ran Platinum Skies Aviation.
- Notes the National Transportation Safety Board began its on‑scene investigation Tuesday while Bangor International Airport remained closed to preserve evidence, impacting dozens of flights.
- Adds that a plane ahead of the Challenger radioed that visibility was poor and chose not to depart, while the accident jet had undergone standard de‑icing and lined up behind other jets that took off safely.