https://abcnews.go.com/US/wire...-pilot-jim-100163945



Plane crash kills 'Flying Wild Alaska' pilot Jim Tweto and Idaho hunting guide

A bush pilot known for his starring role in the Discovery Channel's “Flying Wild Alaska” series has died when his plane crashed shortly after takeoff

ByThe Associated Press
June 17, 2023, 9:16 AM



ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Bush pilot Jim Tweto, known for his starring role in the Discovery Channel’s “Flying Wild Alaska” series, was killed along with a hunting and fishing guide from Idaho when their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff, Alaska State Troopers said.

Tweto’s family-run rural aviation business in Unalakleet was featured in three seasons of the television series a decade ago. He and passenger Shane Reynolds of Orofino, Idaho, died Friday near the coastal village of Shaktoolik, roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) east of Nome, the statement said.

The plane “was witnessed taking off but not climbing and then crashing,” their report said. Troopers were notified of an SOS activation around 11:48 a.m. Friday, followed by a report that a Cessna 180 had crashed 35 miles northeast of Shaktoolik.

Troopers responding from Nome recovered both bodies. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that Tweto was a co-owner of Hageland Aviation Services and then Era Alaska, which would later become Rayn Air Group; Reynolds operated Northwest Fishing Expeditions, guiding clients in Alaska and across the Pacific Northwest for years.

Tweto, 68, died doing what he loved, his daughter Ariel posted on Instagram. She called Reynolds, 45, “a wonderful hunting guide and friend of our family.”

Born in Kansas and raised in Minnesota, Tweto came to Alaska to play hockey at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and settled in Unalakleet, where he met his wife Ferno. The couple and their three daughters were featured in the Discovery series, which aired in 2011-2012.

Jim was well known up here. He had a great reputation.

Horrible deal for his family.

We all have our time to go. It’s a shame it happens so soon. My prayers go out to these lost souls and their family.

Sorry to hear this . May he RIP.

Hard to believe that tv show was 10 years ago.

https://www.kinyradio.com/news...-tree-official-says/


Small plane that crashed in rural Alaska, killing 2, apparently struck tree, official says
News Home
More from News of the North
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 3:56 PM

By Associated Press



Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A small plane that crashed in Alaska last month, killing a bush pilot who was featured on a reality TV show and a hunting guide, apparently struck a tree during takeoff from a rural airstrip, an official said Tuesday.

Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region chief, told Alaska Public Media the apparent strike of a large snag, or dead tree, "subsequently rendered the vertical stabilizer inoperative. And the airplane crashed shortly after that.”

The agency on Tuesday released a preliminary report on the crash that killed pilot Jim Tweto, 68, of Unalakleet, and Shane Reynolds, 45, of Orofino, Idaho. Tweto’s family-run rural aviation business was featured in three seasons of the Discovery Channel’s “Flying Wild Alaska” series. Tweto was also well known in Alaska's aviation community.

The investigation continues, with a final report expected within a year.

The crash occurred near the coastal village of Shaktoolik, which is about 125 miles (200 kilometers) east of Nome. A witness reported shifting winds around the time of the flight, according to the report.

The day of the crash, two hunting guides were waiting to be picked up from the remote airstrip near their camp to be flown to the Unalakleet airport. Tweto had already picked up two hunters and had told the guides he'd return for them. When he returned, one of the guides got on board with some gear and Tweto planned to come back for the other guide and the rest of the gear, the report states.

“During previous departures, after takeoff, the airplane would dip below the airstrip off the departure end, out of sight, then climb back into view and out of the valley,” NTSB investigator Millicent Hill wrote in the report.

The guide who remained back watched the initial part of the takeoff and when nothing appeared awry, turned away and did not see the rest of the takeoff, the report states. When he did not hear engine noise or see the airplane climbing, he ran to the edge of the ridgeline and saw that the plane had hit the tundra 300 feet (91 meters) below the airstrip. He sent an emergency alert from a GPS tracker and then hiked to the wreckage, according to the report.

A helicopter pilot who responded about 45 minutes later said winds in the area were “unusual” that day, variable and gusting, the report says.

At the crash site, investigators found a 4-inch-thick tree on the runway’s left side, which had been broken about 4 feet (1.2 meters) above its base. The broken trunk “displayed fragments of red paint that matched the accident airplane’s paint color,” according to the report.

The show was good. I liked the interactions with his family and the pilots they employed.

I flew in NW AK for a number of years and met him and his daughter once. It wasn't a positive interaction but I of course offer my sincere condolences. I've got an awful lot of deceased pilot friends.

While their show was still on he and his daughter were flying past the airfield where I worked in a Schweizer and had to land for a maintenance issue. I and several others (pilots, mechanics, A&Ps etc) walked out onto the ramp to see what they needed and what we could do to assist, if we could fix them as a courtesy and get them on their way, get them access to the base if needed, offer a ride, etc. They immediately started making demands and started trying to boss my folks around, and were VERY rude about it, and then finally the daughter literally threw out the "Don't you know who I am?!" (direct quote) card. Yeah lady, and I'm the airfield commander, we're trying to help you but also have our own work to get done and not enough hours in the week to do it, and you acting like complete jerks really really doesn't incline us to go the extra mile.

A coworker said "Yeah, you're the lady I spent 6 hours looking for in shitty weather two months ago when you were overdue because you couldn't be bothered to call the FAA and close your flight plan. I know EXACTLY who you are." Funny how those things never made it on the air. They were much more humble after that and we got along just fine. I wish their family the best.

Bob