Six people were killed in a Maine plane crash involving a private jet tied to two Texas Athletics donors, according to Federal Aviation Administration reports.
Houston attorney Tara Arnold, wife of Texas alumnus and Texas Athletics donor Kurt Arnold, was among the six killed in the private jet crash in Bangor, Maine Sunday night, according to ABC13 Houston.
Arnold reportedly boarded the plane with the five other passengers on a business trip to France, according to Bangor officials. One of the other victims was event planner Shawna Collins, as confirmed by her daughter who gave statements to ABC13.
Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner, is close with the family and offered statements to ABC13 as she waits for more information.
“I’m close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold, and we’re still waiting for additional information,” Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner, said to ABC13 Houston. “Unfortunately, the plane went down (Sunday) evening in Maine, and my heart hurts for them, for their children and for their families.
The aircraft was owned by Arnold’s place of work, Arnold & Itkin LLP, a Houston-based law firm co-founded by longtime Texas Athletics donors Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin. Neither of the two were on board the aircraft, according to sources reported by ABC13.
Briones spoke of Tara Arnold as an incredibly involved lawyer and member of the community.
“She was a phenomenal person, a bold leader and someone with a heart of service,” Briones said to ABC13 Houston. “She was very involved in Precinct 4 and our nonprofit, Precinct 4 Forward. My heart is with Kurt, their children and everyone affected.”
The city of Bangor and the Bangor International Airport released a press statement following the crash that indicated there were only six passengers on board and that all were presumed dead, although this number is currently under dispute. While an FAA spokesperson has said its report on the crash is preliminary and subject to change, current reports indicate that seven passengers were on board and all were killed, while a member of the flight crew was seriously injured but survived.
The jet reportedly crashed and caught fire Sunday night as it took off from Bangor International Airport in Maine, according to the FAA, and went down around 7:45 p.m. ET. Emergency responders arrived to find the aircraft engulfed in flames, officials said.
Kurt Arnold and Itkin are prominent supporters of Texas Athletics, with their family foundations contributing a combined $40 million to the University, as reported by a July 2024 release from Texas Athletics. Both Arnold and Itkin attended UT for undergrad and law school before founding their firm, with Itkin serving as president of the Silver Spurs organization and Arnold graduating with High Honors.
Their names appear prominently within Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium following recent renovations, projected at the top of the scoreboard since the 2024 season.
UT has previously recognized the Arnolds and Itkins for their philanthropic impact on campus and athletics, citing their support for facilities, student-athletes and academic initiatives.
“The Arnolds and Itkins are great Texans, and true Longhorns through and through,” Kevin Eltife, Chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, said in the July 2024 release. “The drive and determination they have in their professional lives translates to the energy they pour into their Longhorns. We are truly grateful for all they do to help make The University of Texas and our athletics programs great.”
Weather conditions in the Bangor area included winter storm activity, though officials have not confirmed the exact cause of the crash. Other aircrafts were landing and taking off at the same time as the attempted take-off, according to airport authorities, as reported by ABC13. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the situation, according to the Bangor International Airport’s press release.
The Daily Texan will continue to update this developing story as more information becomes available.
