The daughter of Jim Tweto, the beloved star of Discovery Channel’s Flying Wild Alaska, paid him a heartbreaking tribute on Father’s Day two days after he died in a plane crash.
Tweto, 68, along with hunting and fishing guide Shane Reynolds, 45, of Idaho, was killed Friday after their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff near the coastal town of Shaktoolik, Alaska.
His daughter Ariel Tweto, 32, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a Father’s Day tribute to Tweto.
Happy Father’s Day Dad. I know you are with all of us now. I can’t write you my usual long juicy message because our house is full of family and friends and you would roll your eyes if you saw me on my phone so I won’t,” Ariel wrote alongside several images from Tweto .
‘But I love you. Listen with sound on for the latest video.’
Bush pilot Jim Tweto was killed with an Idaho hunting and fishing guide when their small plane crashed shortly after takeoff Friday
His daughter Ariel, 32, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a Father’s Day tribute to Tweto
Happy Father’s Day Dad. I know you are with all of us now,” Ariel wrote alongside several images of Tweto
Ariel shared photos of Tweto enjoying the outdoors and a video of him driving an ATV where you can hear her say, “Mr. Invincible.”
Many of Tweto’s fans sent their condolences to his family in tribute to Ariel.
“I am heartbroken for your family, I loved watching wild Alaska flying, I really felt like I knew your dad, he was an amazing dad and loved you all so much,” one comment read.
“Crazy how a man I never knew personally can have such a profound effect on my life as a teacher,” read another comment. “As long as I teach, I will continue to demonstrate Jim Tweto’s tenacity and leadership to my Aerospace Engineering students.”
The pilot’s family-run aviation company in Unalakleet was featured in three seasons of the television series more than a decade ago, but has remained a firm fan favorite.
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.
The plane “witnessed it taking off but not climbing and then crashing,” according to their report.
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 the Ravn Air Group.
Reynolds operated Northwest Fishing Expeditions and guided clients in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest for many years.
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.
Tweto, 68, died doing what he loved, his daughter Ariel previously said on Instagram
Ariel shared footage of Tweto enjoying the outdoors and a video of him driving an ATV where she can be heard saying ‘Mr Invincible’
Idaho hunting and fishing guide Shane Reynolds, 45, was also killed in Friday’s plane crash. He is depicted with his wife and daughter
The couple and their three daughters were featured in the Discovery series, which aired in 2011-2012.
Their daughter Ariel had previously said that Tweto died doing what he loved.
Ariel shared her latest texts with dad Jim, where he said, “Believe, you just can’t have enough”
She called Reynolds “a wonderful hunting guide and friend to our family” who left behind a wife, Gina, and daughter, Juliet.
Nearly $80,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe page for Reynold’s wife Gina and daughter Juliet.
“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.”