The final victim identified among the six who lost their lives in a private jet crash during a snowstorm in Maine last month is the pilot and his father.
Jorden Rydell, 33, was co-piloting a Bombardier Challenger 600 owned by a Texas law firm alongside captain Jacob Hosmer when the plane overturned and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Bangor International Airport on January 25.
The Maine Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced Rydell’s identity on Tuesday, alongside the identification of three other victims: sommelier Shelby Kuyawa, 34, and captain Jacob Hosmer, 47.
Event planner Shona Collins, 53, and chef Nick Masticusa, 43, were also confirmed as victims by their families.
The six individuals were en route to Paris for a business trip on a jet owned by Arnold & Itkin, a law firm based in Houston.
Rydell, originally from Conroe, Texas, began exploring aviation during high school. He obtained his private pilot’s license at 17 in 2010, according to his obituary.
He graduated from San Jacinto College in 2012 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Technology and achieved his Air Transport Pilot license in 2015.
The obituary notes, “Driven by passion and a strong work ethic, Jorden consistently sought to improve his skills, obtaining his helicopter rotorcraft rating in 2023, fulfilling his dream of holding both airline and helicopter licenses to take to the skies.”
Rydell married his wife Jennifer in April 2022, and they welcomed their daughter Kelsey in 2024.
He was also known for his skills in BMX biking, golfing, and boating. Rydell often shared joyful photos of himself in the cockpit on Facebook.
The private jet was headed to Paris after a refueling stop at Bangor International Airport when it crashed amidst heavy snowfall.
The passengers were traveling to scout future destinations for affluent clients of Beyond, a concierge service launched by Tara and Kurt Arnold.
Kurt, a partner at the firm owning the jet, was not aboard during the incident, but his wife Tara tragically died in the crash.
While the cause of the accident is still undetermined, experts suggest that the National Transportation Safety Board may investigate the winter storm conditions and potential ice accumulation on the wings that might have hindered takeoff.
Rydell is survived by his wife, infant daughter, parents, two sisters, grandmother, in-laws, and numerous relatives and friends. His obituary mentions he was preceded in death by his “best canine companion, Dozer.”
