A helicopter working for an MTV reality show "The Challenge" has crashed over Potrerillos Dam in Mendoza, killing two people aboard.
The Guardian reports that the pilot and a technician onboard have been killed when the helicopter crashed in western Argentina on Saturday. According to local authorities, the Bell 206 helicopter crashed about 1,000 north-west of Buenos Aires as it hovered above the reservoir at Potrerillos Dam in Mendoza.
The security for Mendoza province, Gianni Vernier, told the state news agency Telam that the pilot and technician were announced dead however not confirming other possible passengers of the helicopter. An extensive search for possible passengers was made on the wreckage which was about 200 ft below the surface.
The cause of the accident is not yet determined. Authorities are still deep in its investigation.
A statement released later by MTV confirmed that the helicopter was working for the reality show "The Challenge", a co-production of MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions. According to the statement, the helicopter was on its way to a shooting location when it went down. Neither a cast or show crew member was onboard the helicopter. MTV confirmed that there were only two passengers aboard.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that "The Challenge" is a long-running American reality series known for its eccentric stunts and quarrels among its cast members. It reportedly began in 1998 and is currently on its 28th season. It has already filmed in Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland and Canada. The season that they were about to shoot when the crashed happened was due to be out in 2016.
This is the second fatal crash that has happened in Argentina this year involving a reality show. Earlier this year, two helicopters reportedly working on the TV survivalist show "Dropped" collided while filming above rugged terrain in north-west Argentina. The collision resulted to 10 people onboard dead. Those confirmed dead were three French athletes namely: pioneering sailor Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Cammille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine.