Three people were killed on Sunday in a pre-dawn helicopter crash in a rural area of a northern Los Angeles county. The accident occurred while filming a new reality TV show for the Discovery Channel, the Associated Press reported.
The helicopter crash occurred at about 3:40 a.m. at a popular filming location known as Polsa Rosa Ranch. All three people aboard died, the Los Angeles County Fire dispatcher Robert Diaz said. The show reportedly is listed on a filming permit to an untitled military-themed TV show. It has yet been aired or announced by Discovery, channel spokesman Laurie Goldberg said, and reported by the AP.
A production company called Eyeworks USA "was shooting for Discovery Channel when this tragic accident occurred. We are all cooperating fully with the authorities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families," the station said in a statement.
Eyeworks USA is best known for NBC's "The Biggest Loser. The company approved to use a helicopter for a reality TV show shooting at the ranch from Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning.
Records also showed that Crossbow Helicopters received approval to participate in filming from the Federal Aviation Administration.
"We wouldn't have referenced helicopter activity if we didn't already have pre-approval from the FAA," Sokoloski said. The cause and other circumstances surrounding the crash were still unknown, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said. The crash reportedly happened near Soledad Canyon Road.
"The helicopter, a Bell 206B Jet Ranger, crashed under unknown circumstances," Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said in a news statement. "The helicopter crashed into an open field."
