The fifth victim of a private jet crash that burst into flames in Maine has been identified as a successful sommelier who was participating in a new luxury travel venture, according to a report.
Shelby Kuyawa, 34, a wine expert, was aboard the ill-fated aircraft Sunday while traveling to Paris as part of legal heiress Tara Arnold’s inaugural trip for her new luxury travel company, Beyond, sources close to the passengers told the Daily Mail.
Wine expert Shelby Kuyawa, 34, was aboard the ill-fated private jet Sunday as part of legal heiress Tara Arnold’s luxury travel venture, Beyond, on a trip to Paris.
Beyond reportedly offers invitation-only travel experiences for wealthy clients, including stays at five-star resorts and curated culinary adventures.
Kuyawa, one of six people killed in the crash, was scheduled to tour a French chateau and visit other notable destinations as part of the trip, according to the Daily Mail.
The sommelier is said to have met Tara Arnold and her husband, Kurt, while working at the Kukio Golf and Beach Club on Hawaii’s Kamuela Island. Kuyawa and his colleague, Nick Mastrascusa, a top Hawaiian chef, were recruited by the Arnolds to join Beyond late last year, the report added.
Kuyawa, one of six people killed in the tragic crash, was scheduled to tour a French chateau and visit other notable destinations as part of the trip, according to the Daily Mail.
Also among the victims was Nick Mastrascusa, a father of three, along with Tara Arnold, pilot Jacob Hosmer, 47, and event planner Shawna Collins. Only one victim has not yet been identified.
Kurt Arnold and his business partner, Jason Itkin, were not on the plane when it went down, sources told ABC 13.
The Bombardier Challenger 600, owned by the Houston-based Arnold & Itkin law firm, flipped over and erupted into flames during takeoff from Bangor International Airport around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. The Paris-bound jet was stopping to refuel in Maine amid Winter Storm Fern.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed investigators were on-site Tuesday, with a full investigation scheduled to begin Wednesday.
