A tragic plane crash in Maine last week claimed the life of a Texas father, who has now been identified as the copilot and final victim.
Jorden Reidel, aged 33, was one of six individuals who perished when a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet, en route to Paris, France, overturned and ignited during its takeoff at approximately 7:45 p.m. on January 25.
Hailing from Conroe, Texas, Reidel embarked on his aviation journey while still in high school. By the time he graduated in 2010, at just 17 years old, he had already obtained his private pilot’s license, as noted in his obituary.
“Driven by passion and a strong work ethic, Jorden continually pursued further training, achieving his helicopter rotorcraft rating in 2023. With both airline and helicopter licenses, he fulfilled his dream of soaring through the skies,” stated his obituary.
Jorden Reidel, 33, leaves behind his wife and young daughter. (Source: FACEBOOK/ Jorden Reidel)
He married his wife, Jennifer, in April 2022, and they celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Kelsey, in 2024. Reidel is survived by his wife, daughter, mother, father, two sisters, grandmother, in-laws, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigate a plane crash at Bangor International Airport Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 in Bangor, Maine. (Linda Coan O’Kresik/The Bangor Daily News via AP)
Police on Tuesday confirmed the deaths Reidel, his captain Jacob Hosmer, 47, of Pearland, Texas, and sommelier Shelby Kuyawa, 34, of Hawaii.
Jacob Hosmer, Shawna Collins and Tara Arnold were three victims identified in a plane crash in Maine. (Jacob Hosmer/Facebook; Shawna Collins/Instagram; Kurt Arnold/Facebook)
The victims identified earlier by family or others are Tara Arnold, 46, a Houston lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and philanthropist, event planner Shawna Collins, 53, of Houston, and chef Nick Mastrascusa, 43, of Hawaii.
This photo provided by Natalia Mastrascusa shows Nick Mastrascusa posing for a photo in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 2023. (Natalia Mastrascusa via AP)
Arnold’s husband, Kurt, had co-founded Arnold & Itkin, a personal injury firm where she had worked.
The Arnolds had recently started the concierge service Beyond for travelers who could have their every need met at properties in Turks & Caicos and Telluride, Colorado, for as much as $15,000 to $30,000 a night.
They were flying from Houston to France’s Champagne region to scope out the next travel destination for high-net-worth clients, stopping in Bangor to refuel, when the small jet crashed as a snowstorm moved and burst into flames.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Experts say the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to examine the approaching storm and whether ice buildup on the wings prevented the aircraft from becoming airborne, a problem that has occurred at least twice before with the same model. Investigators, however, will review all possible factors.
