MTV Reality Show Chopper Crashes in Reservoir, Kills 2

Was flying to filming location in Argentina for 'The Challenge'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 13, 2015 9:37 AM CST
MTV Reality Show Chopper Crashes in Reservoir, Kills 2
A file photo of a Bell helicopter.   (Photo: Business Wire)

A helicopter working for an MTV reality show crashed in western Argentina on Saturday and both people on board were killed, local authorities said. The Bell 206 helicopter crashed as it flew over the reservoir at Potrerillos de Mendoza dam about 620 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, Gianni Vernier, security minister for Mendoza province, told the state news agency Telam. Vernier said the pilot and a technician died; RTE reports that it's unclear if more people were aboard. Searchers were unable to retrieve the bodies Saturday because the wreckage was nearly 200 feet below the surface, Telam said. The cause of the accident was under investigation.

MTV issued a statement saying the helicopter was working on The Challenge, a co-production of MTV and Bunim-Murray Productions, and was flying to a shooting location when it went down. MTV said only two people were on the helicopter and neither was a cast or show crew member. It was the second deadly helicopter accident this year in Argentina involving a reality show. Last March, two helicopters working on survivalist show Dropped collided while filming over rugged terrain in northwestern Argentina and all 10 people on board died. Among the dead were three noted French athletes—pioneering sailor Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat, and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine. (More MTV stories.)

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