Two dead in MTV helicopter crash in Argentina

A helicopter working on the MTV reality series The Challenge crashed in western Argentina on Saturday, killing both people on board.

The crash happened about 30km from the provincial capital of Mendoza, or about 600km from Buenos Aires, Mendoza province security minister Gianni Venier said.

The aircraft came down over a reservoir in Mendoza province, and search teams have been unable to recover the victims’ bodies because the wreckage is 60m (200ft) underwater. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

MTV later 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. Only the two people were aboard and neither was a cast or crew member.

It’s not clear what show was being filmed, but Spanish newspaper El Sol reported the helicopter crashed on the Potrerillos Dam.

The collision killed 10 people, including two Argentines and eight French citizens.

Those killed included three noted French athletes – pioneering sailor Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine.

The helicopters were again involved in the filming of a show, the TV survival show Dropped.