Beloved star of Discovery Channel’s Flying Wild Alaska dies in small plane crash over state
Bush pilot Jim Tweto, star of the Discovery Channel’s “Flying Wild Alaska,” along with an Idaho hunting and fishing guide, was killed when their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Friday.
Tweto’s rural family 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 town of Shaktoolik, about 125 miles east of Nome, Alaska State Troopers said.
The plane “witnessed it taking off but not climbing and then crashing,” according to their report.
Troopers were notified of an SOS activation at around 11:48 a.m. Friday, followed by a report that a Cessna 180 had crashed 35 miles northeast of Shaktoolik.
Bush pilot Jim Tweto, star of the Discovery Channel’s “Flying Wild Alaska,” along with an Idaho hunting and fishing guide, was killed when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff Friday
Authorities responding from Nome recovered both bodies. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.
The Anchorage daily news reported that Tweto co-owned Hageland Aviation Services and then Era Alaska, which would later become Ravn Air Group.
Reynolds operated Northwest Fishing Expeditions and guided clients in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest for many years.
Tweto, 68, died doing what he loved, his daughter Ariel posted on Instagram.
“I didn’t think anything could hurt that bad,” she wrote. “And I don’t know why I’m writing this, but the news is out, so I thought you’d hear it from me.”
She posted several photos of her father on social media, paying homage to someone she “trusted” and “with whom she felt more secure than anyone.”
Ariel shared her latest texts with dad Jim, where he said, “Believe, you just can’t have enough”
She called Reynolds, 45, “a great hunting guide and friend to our family” who left behind a wife, Gina, and daughter, Juliet.
Tweto’s rural family business in Unalakleet was featured in three seasons of the television series a decade ago
Tweto, 68, died doing what he loved, his daughter Ariel posted on Instagram
Ariel Tweto shared her latest text messages with dad Jim, where he said, ‘Believe, you just can’t have enough’
To date, more than $17,000 has been raised for Reynolds’ family Gofundme.
Ariel Tweto asked anyone wishing to donate money in the wake of the tragedy to do so to Reynolds’ family.
“Shane, born and raised in Idaho, followed his dreams of becoming a fishing and hunting guide,” wrote Kelsi Ivanoff, the campaign’s organizer.
“He has led for big game and fish in Alaska and in the Pacific Northwest. He ran Northwest Fishing Expeditions and settled in Orofino, Idaho, where he and his wife raised their daughter.’
“Shane left this world and did what he loved from a young age.”
Ariel Tweto asked anyone wishing to donate money in the wake of the tragedy to do so to Shane Reynolds’ family. Reynold was a hunting guide who also died in the crash
Friends and family want to raise a total of $20,000 to help with expenses.
Born in Kansas and raised in Minnesota, Tweto came to Alaska to play hockey at the University of Alaska Anchorage, settling 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.