3 Killed in Reality Show Crash at Popular 'Movie Ranch'
On Sunday, three people died in California after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in a rural area north of Los Angeles.
Local reports indicate that passengers in the helicopter were part of a new reality television show for the Discovery Channel.
Investigators revealed that the aircraft went down around 3:40 a.m. near the Polsa Rosa Ranch in the City of Acton, which is a popular film location, Robert Diaz, a Los Angeles County Fire dispatcher, told the Associated Press.
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"A production company was shooting a show for Discovery Channel when this tragic accident occurred," Laurie Goldberg, Discovery Channel spokeswoman, read in a statement. "We are all cooperating fully with authorities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families."
She added that the film crew had acquired a permit to film in an unnamed military-theme television program, but that news of the show had not been made public.
The show's production company stated that approval for the helicopter was granted and was permitted to film at the location from Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning, Philip Sokoloski, a spokesman for FilmLA, told AP.
Records also showed that the helicopter company hired for the filming had received prior approval to facilitate filming in the area.
"We wouldn't have referenced helicopter activity if we didn't already have pre-approval from the FAA," Sokoloski said.
The cause and other items related to the crash were still unknown as investigators determine the cause of the tragedy, Allen Kenitzer, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, said in a statement.
A Website for Polsa Rosa states that it is a movie ranch that is well equipped to handle aircraft given that it has two air strips and varied landscapes that provide for great film shots.
The area is familiar with other film accidents. In 1982 saw the death of actor Vic Marrow and two children while filming the "Twilight Zone" movie.
