MTV helicopter crashes
December 13, 2015
The helicopter crashed about 30 kilometers from the city of Mendoza, the provincial capital, some 620 kilometers (1,000 miles) west of Buenos Aires, the security minister for Mendoza province, Gianni Venier, said.
The Bell 206 helicopter plunged into a reservoir at Poterillos de Mendoza dam.
The wreckage from the aircraft has been located, with the pilot and a technician onboard being reported killed.
US cable and satellite television channel MTV issued a statement saying the helicopter was working on “The Challenge,” a co-production of MTV and Bunim-Murray Productions, and was on its way to a shooting location when the incident occurred.
There were only two people on board the craft, neither was a cast or show crew member, MTV added.
Searchers have been unable to retrieve the bodies because the wreckage is 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) below the surface, state news agency Telam reported.
Second crash this year
Saturday's crash is the second this year involving a helicopter involved in film production in Argentina.
Last March, 10 people, including eight French and two Argentines, were killed during the filming of French reality television show “Dropped” when the helicopter they were flying collided with another aircraft over rugged terrain in northwestern Argentina.
Those killed included three noted French athletes – pioneering sailor Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine.
jlw/jm (AP, AFP)