The pilot involved in the tragic crash at Bangor International Airport has been revealed as the first identified victim among the six individuals on the aircraft.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that a fatal accident occurred at the airport on Sunday, January 25, at approximately 19:45 local time.
The NTSB reported: “The preliminary information we have is the plane crashed upon departing Bangor International Airport and experienced a post-crash fire.”
Initial reports indicated that there were six fatalities, with a seventh person in critical condition at a hospital. However, this was later clarified by the airport and Bangor police, confirming that only six individuals were on board.
Bangor police stated: “According to the flight manifest there were six people on the flight. No one from the incident was transported to the hospital, and all on the flight are presumed to be deceased.”
Audio from air traffic control illustrates discussions about low visibility conditions prior to takeoff.
Just two minutes after the clearance for take-off, another controller urgently declared, ‘All traffic is stopped on the field! All traffic is stopped on the field!’
Soon after, a controller announced: “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.”
Jacob Hosmer, 47, has been identified as the pilot and captain of the flight. His father has confirmed his passing.
Gary Hosmer, speaking to KPRC 2, said of his son: “He’s in Heaven now with Jesus.”
A close friend, choosing to remain anonymous, spoke highly of Hosmer in a Click 2 Houston report, describing him as “a great pilot, a loving husband, and a phenomenal father.”
“He was always kind. He was always laughing,” the friend added.
Since May 2025, Hosmer had been employed as a pilot by Arnold and Itkin, the personal injury law firm that owned the aircraft.
In a statement, Bangor police reiterated: “According to the flight manifest there were six people on the flight. No one from the incident was transported to the hospital, and all on the flight are presumed to be deceased.”