A CELEBRATED Hawaiian chef and dad-of-three has been confirmed as the fourth victim of the horror private jet crash that killed everyone on board.
The cook was traveling on a Paris-bound flight when the jet flipped during takeoff and erupted into flames, officials said.
Top Hawaiian chef and dad-of-three Nick Mastrascusa has been named the fourth victim after a Paris-bound private jet flippedCredit: GoFundMe
The cook was traveling on a Paris-bound flight when the jet flipped during takeoff and erupted into flames, officials saidCredit: AP
The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down at Bangor International Airport in Maine at around 7:45 pm on Sunday amid snowy conditions.
After the victim was identified as Nick Mastrascusa, his loved ones shared the news through a fundraising page set up for his family.
A statement on the GoFundMe said, “Nick touched the lives of so many in our community through his kindness, dedication, generosity, and friendship.”
It added, “He leaves behind his dearest Natalia and their three children: Analani (9th grade), Mateo (5th grade), and Noah (2nd grade).”
Mastrascusa worked as executive vice president of hospitality for luxury travel company Beyond, which was founded by powerhouse lawyers Kurt Arnold and his wife, Tara Arnold.
Tara, 46, was also killed in the crash, along with pilot Jacob Hosmer, 47, and event planner Shawna Collins, according to reports.
Two other people who died on the flight have yet to be publicly identified.
Beyond described Mastrascusa as an “award-winning chef and sommelier” who spent two decades working in elite hotels, private clubs and resorts
Most recently, he served as executive chef and director of food and beverage at Discovery Land’s Kūkiʻo Golf and Beach Club on Hawaii’s Big Island.
He oversaw three restaurants and an exclusive wine program at the members-only property, the company said.
Mastrascusa attended Johnson & Wales University in Miami before later studying at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.
The fundraiser for his family had pulled in more than $117,000 toward a $200,000 goal as of Tuesday.
Kurt Arnold and his law firm partner Jason Itkin were not on the plane when it crashed, sources told ABC13.
A chilling moment was also captured in radio traffic just before takeoff, with an eerie voice saying, “Let there be light,” though it’s unclear what it meant.
Seconds later, an air traffic controller could be heard shouting: “All traffic is stopped on the field!”
Another controller then warned: “Aircraft upside down, we have a passenger aircraft upside down,” as emergency crews rushed in.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Bangor on Tuesday as officials worked to identify the victims’ remains.
Mastrascusa was an “award-winning chef and sommelier” who spent two decades working in elite hotels, private clubs and resortsCredit: GoFundMe
