Crime
Tara Arnold killed in Bangor private jet crash
The wife of a prominent Texas attorney was among those killed in a private jet crash Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport in Maine, according to officials and family statements.
Tara Arnold, 46, the wife of Houston-based personal injury attorney Kurt Arnold, died when a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet crashed during takeoff at approximately 7:45 p.m.
The aircraft was departing Bangor after a scheduled stop for refueling and de-icing before a planned transatlantic flight to Paris. Arnold was traveling with several friends on a leisure trip.
Emergency responders arrived to find the aircraft severely damaged and overturned on the runway, with fire and heavy smoke visible at the scene. Video and photographs from the aftermath showed the jet resting upside down as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
Preliminary flight data reviewed by investigators indicates the aircraft veered to the right during the takeoff roll before losing control.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially reported that eight people were on board, including crew members; however, officials later acknowledged that early information may have been incomplete.
Authorities have not yet released a final passenger and crew manifest or confirmed casualty figures pending family notifications.
The jet was reportedly registered to Arnold & Itkin LLP, the Houston-based law firm co-founded by Kurt Arnold.
The firm has acknowledged the loss and requested privacy for the families involved. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash.
Tara Arnold was an accomplished attorney who had worked at Arnold & Itkin since its founding in 2005.
She earned her law degree from Tulane University and graduated magna cum laude. Early in her career, she worked in mergers and acquisitions at a large New York-based law firm before joining her husbandโs practice, where she focused on complex litigation, including cases involving offshore and industrial accidents.
In professional biographies, Arnold credited her motherโalso an attorneyโfor inspiring her to pursue a legal career. She frequently spoke about the responsibility attorneys hold in protecting clientsโ futures and livelihoods.
Outside of her legal work, Arnold was known for her philanthropy and community involvement.
She and her husband were significant donors to the University of Texas, Kurt Arnoldโs alma mater, contributing tens of millions of dollars to university and athletic programs. Friends and colleagues described her as deeply committed to service, family, and mentoring others.
Local officials and friends expressed condolences following news of her death. Harris County Precinct Four Commissioner Lesley Briones, who previously worked with the Arnolds, described her as โa phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a genuine heart for service.โ
The crash occurred amid severe winter weather conditions. At the time of the incident, temperatures at Bangor International Airport were near 1 degree Fahrenheit, with six to eight inches of snow on the ground and low visibility reported.
Air traffic control recordings indicate pilots and controllers discussed weather conditions and de-icing procedures shortly before the aircraft was cleared for takeoff. Within minutes, air traffic was halted after controllers reported an aircraft overturned on the runway.
The incident took place during Winter Storm Fern, which caused widespread travel disruptions across the United States, including thousands of canceled flights and declared states of emergency in multiple states.
The FAA and NTSB will continue their investigation, examining weather conditions, aircraft performance, runway conditions, and crew actions. Officials have stated that a full report is expected to take several months.
On January 28, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers assigned to the Northern District responded to a reported shooting at the Northrop Grumman facility located in the 7300 block of Aviation Boulevard in Linthicum, Maryland.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the scene had already been secured by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MDTA), who had the suspected shooter in custody.
Preliminary findings indicate the incident stemmed from a dispute between two contracted security guards working inside the facility.
During the altercation, one of the guards discharged a firearm, striking the other.
The victim was identified as 37-year-old Joseph Keith Aman of Baltimore, Maryland. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities stated that a third contracted security guard intervened during the incident, successfully disarming the suspect and detaining him until law enforcement arrived.
Investigators confirmed the shooting was an isolated incident and did not involve any Northrop Grumman employees.
There was no ongoing threat to the public or the facility following the incident.
Anne Arundel County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation.
Detectives conducted multiple witness interviews, while Evidence Collection Unit technicians processed the scene and recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Dylan Blake Chandler of Pasadena, Maryland.
He has been formally charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and additional related offenses.
Northrop Grumman issued a statement acknowledging the incident, saying:
โWe are aware of an isolated incident involving two contractors at one of our Baltimore-area facilities. We are cooperating fully with local law enforcement as they investigate the matter. The safety of our employees and contractors across all facilities remains our top priority.โ
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Although an arrest has been made, detectives are continuing to gather information.
Anyone with knowledge related to the incident is urged to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may contact the countyโs tip line at 410-222-4700.
Further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.