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Discovery Channel's Flying Wild Alaska star Jim Tweto dies in plane crash
Featured Image Credit: Disney/Instagram/arieltweto

Discovery Channel's Flying Wild Alaska star Jim Tweto dies in plane crash

The reality star was killed in the sudden tragedy

Jim Tweto, from the Discovery Channel's Flying Alaska, has died in a plane crash.

The 68-year-old was a regular fixture on the show, which centered around his family's aviation business.

On Friday (16 June), Alaska State Troopers said they'd received an SOS notification from an InReach device at 11:48 am.

NTSB also wrote on Twitter that they were 'investigating the crash of a Cessna 180H airplane near Unalakleet, Alaska'.

In a statement released by officials, a plane crash was reported '35 miles Northeast of Shaktoolik' where they said a plane had been witnessed 'taking off but not climbing and then crashing'.

"Subsequent information was reported that both occupants of the aircraft were deceased." the statement said.

Tweto was identified as the pilot and his passenger was identified as his friend, Shane Reynolds.

"Next of kin has been notified. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage. NTSB was notified of the crash." the statement concluded.

Tweto's daughter, Ariel Tweto, confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement shared to Instagram.

Flying Wild Alaska's Jim Tweto has passed away in a plane crash.
Disney

She wrote: "I didn’t think anything could hurt this bad.

"And I don’t know why I’m writing this but the news is out so I figured you hear it from me.

"And i’d take any other type of pain if he could just land today.

"My dad and a wonderful hunting guide and friend of our family passed away this afternoon in his 180.

"He died doing what he truly loved and is now with uncle Ron up there soaring.

"Please send love to both of them and my mom, sisters, and his wife and family [sic]."

Alongside this message, she shared some screenshots of her messages with her dad.

Ariel announced his passing on Instagram.
Instagram/@arieltweto

The 45-year-old Reynolds leaves behind a wife, Gina and their daughter, Julie.

A person named Kelsi Ivanoff has since set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of Reynold's wife in the wake of the sudden tragedy.

Ariel also shared a post on her Instagram, thanking people for their 'love and support' and linked to the GoFundMe for Reynolds.

"People have been asking where and if they could donate and our family would really appreciate it if you would donate it to Shane Reynolds family. He was with my dad and was a good friend.

"He left behind his wife Gina and daughter Juliet. We would really appreciate it." she wrote.

The page has so far raised £27,782 ($35,628).

Flying Wild Alaska ran from 2011 to 2012 and followed the Tweto family as they 'battle unforgiving Alaska weather and terrain to transport life's necessities to one of the most remote and extreme regions of America'.

Topics: Celebrity, US News