Prominent Houston Attorney Tara Arnold Identified As Victim In Maine Plane Crash
A Houston attorney has been identified as one of the victims after a private jet crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine Sunday night, according to a Harris County official.
Tara ArnoldAn attorney at a Houston-based law firm Arnold and Itkin co-founded by her husbandwas among those killed in the crash, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones He said Monday.
Briones called the incident a “tragedy” while speaking at a press conference alongside the Mayor of Houston on Monday. John Whitmire.
“We are still waiting for additional information, but unfortunately the plane crashed last night in Maine,” Briones said.
As previously reported Dallas ExpressA private jet registered to a Houston-based company rolled over on the runway Sunday evening. Bangor International Airport A federal investigation was launched at the time of takeoff.
Unverified Air Traffic Control Audio Circulate Online
According to air traffic control recording cited in a social media post by an aviation-focused account, a voice was heard on radio communications just before the crash: “Let there be light.” to mail He said it was unclear whether the statement was made by a pilot or air traffic controller or what the statement was referring to.
Other radio conversations included discussions about low visibility and removing ice from the plane before takeoff, the same post said. Shortly after the crash, air traffic controllers were heard saying “All traffic in the field has been stopped” and then “The aircraft has been inverted.”
Federal aviation officials have not commented publicly on the recording or the source of the statement.
Aircraft and Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration determined the plane was a Bombardier Challenger business jet. FAA registration records list the plane as registered to a Houston-based limited liability company with an address associated with the law firm Arnold & Itkin. Authorities have not confirmed the owner of the plane or who was on board at the time of the crash.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board said the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Authorities have not released a final death toll or identified all the victims.
Community Response
Briones, who previously worked at Arnold & Itkin, said Arnold was active in the Houston community and served on the board of directors. Region4NextA nonprofit organization affiliated with Harris County Precinct 4.
“He is an extraordinary person, a courageous leader and someone with a heart of service,” Briones said. “My heart and prayers go out to Kurt, his children and all the families affected.”
Founded by Arnold & Itkin Kurt Arnold And Jason Itkin The firm focuses on marine, energy and catastrophic injury cases, according to its website.
According to her professional biography, Tara Arnold earned her law degree. Tulane University School of Law Prior to joining Arnold & Itkin, he worked in the Houston office of a New York-based law firm, where he handled business and commercial dispute matters.
As of Monday evening, Maine officials had not publicly released the names of all the victims involved in the crash. A representative for the law firm previously declined to comment.
The FAA and NTSB said the investigation is ongoing.
