The executive chef of an exclusive Hawaiian resort has been confirmed as the fourth victim of a devastating private jet crash in Maine that claimed six lives. Nick Mastrascusa, aged 43, perished when a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet overturned during takeoff from a snow-covered runway at Bangor International Airport.
Tragic Incident During Winter Storm
The aircraft departed at approximately 7:45pm on Sunday evening, bound for Paris with four passengers and two crew members aboard. Mere seconds after beginning its takeoff roll, the jet flipped upside-down on the runway. All six individuals on board were killed instantly, with their bodies remaining within the twisted, charred wreckage as crash investigators face significant challenges accessing the frozen accident site.
Victims of the Catastrophe
Alongside Mastrascusa, the victims include Tara Arnold, 46, wife of prominent personal injury attorney Kurt Arnold; event planner Shawna Collins, 39; and pilot Jacob Hosmer, 47. Two additional victims—a second pilot and a female passenger believed to be a friend of Arnold—have yet to be publicly identified by authorities.
The aircraft was registered to Arnold & Itkin LLP, the law firm where Tara Arnold worked as a commercial lawyer. The firm has confirmed that neither Kurt Arnold nor his partner Jason Itkin were aboard the ill-fated flight.
Remembering Nick Mastrascusa
Mastrascusa served as executive chef at the prestigious Kukio Golf and Beach Club in Kamuela, Hawaii, where the establishment's website promotes an 'island fresh cuisine theme.' His culinary journey began in Montevideo, Uruguay, before he moved to Miami at age 17 and later refined his skills at the Culinary Arts School at Greystone in California.
"Nick touched the lives of so many in our community through his kindness, dedication, generosity and friendship," wrote his sister Valeria in a heartfelt appeal for donations to support his funeral expenses and provide for his wife Natalia and their three children: Analani, 14, Mateo, 10, and Noah, 7.
A Distinguished Culinary Career
The accomplished chef held a master's degree in caviar and exotic meats and worked his way through several esteemed establishments including:
- Ristorante Giacosa
- The Biltmore Hotel
- The Ritz-Carlton Residences Palm Beach
- Four Seasons New York
Before his position at Kukio, Mastrascusa ran the Beach Tree restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, where he became renowned for his authentic paella. He insisted on importing specific chorizo, saffron, and rice directly from Spain, delaying the dish's introduction to the menu rather than using substitutes.
Throughout his career, Mastrascusa served numerous celebrity clients including Jennifer Aniston, Bruce Willis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lenny Kravitz, Adam Sandler, Marc Anthony, and former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush. His most memorable encounter involved actress Cameron Diaz at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hawaii, where she requested he sign a bottle of olive oil bearing his name.
Other Victims and Their Legacies
Tara Arnold joined her husband's law firm soon after its establishment in 2004, specializing in offshore oil platform accident cases. The couple lived in an $11 million Houston mansion with their two children, Jaxon and Isla, and were noted philanthropists who donated millions to University of Texas athletics programs.
Event planner Shawna Collins, a friend of Arnold, organized events for Arnold & Itkin through her company and was planning her daughter Keaton Milburn's upcoming wedding. Pilot Jacob Hosmer, described by friends as "a great pilot, a loving husband and a phenomenal father," had been employed by Arnold & Itkin since May 2025.
Investigation Challenges
The National Transportation Safety Board faces significant obstacles investigating the crash site, which remains difficult to access due to Winter Storm Fern affecting 34 states across America. A few investigators reached the scene by Tuesday afternoon, but a full team isn't expected until Wednesday at the earliest.
Bangor Police Department confirmed the bodies remain in the wreckage and may stay there for several more days while awaiting NTSB approval to begin identification processes with the State Medical Examiner.
Flight Details and Eyewitness Accounts
The aircraft had flown from Houston earlier on Sunday, landing in Bangor at 6:09pm for refueling before its transatlantic journey. Flight data indicates the plane veered right during takeoff and flipped at approximately 175mph.
Audio recordings reveal discussions between pilots and air traffic control about low visibility and de-icing procedures before takeoff. An eerie radio transmission minutes before the crash featured a voice saying "let there be light," possibly referring to runway lighting being activated.
Dramatic footage shows the burning wreckage inverted on the runway, with black smoke filling the air. One witness reported the plane lifted off briefly before crashing back onto the runway and exploding. Doorcam video captured the loud impact, though not the aircraft itself.
Less than two minutes after clearance for takeoff, controllers urgently announced: "All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field!" Minutes later, another controller reported: "Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down."
