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3RD UPDATE: All three victims of the helicopter crash have now been officially identified: pilot David Gibbs, 59, of Valencia; cameraman Darren Rydstrom, 45, of Whittier; and cast member Michael Donatelli, 45, of Indiana, PA. Donatelli’s background is unclear, though there is a former elite Special Forces Army officer-turned-private contractor by that name listed in Indiana, PA.
2ND UPDATE: The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office would not release the identities of the victims pending notification of next of kin but multiple sources identified the pilot as 59-year-old David Gibbs, owner of Crossbow Helicopters, the company the permit was issued to; and one of the passengers as Darren Rydstrom, 45, an experienced camera operator and DP.
UPDATED: The 3 died in a helicopter crash while filming a new reality TV series in California. The yet untitled military show is being produced for Discovery Channel by JD Roth and Todd Nelson’s Eyeworks USA (formerly 3 Ball Prods.), whose credits include NBC’s The Biggest Loser. The cable network just issued this statement. “A production company was shooting a show for Discovery Channel when this tragic accident occurred. We are all cooperating fully with authorities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families.” And the reality TV show’s producer Eyeworks USA just said: “We can confirm that a helicopter crash occurred this morning while shooting a new series for a cable network which resulted tragically in three fatalities. We are cooperating fully with the authorities. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those involved.” Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said the deaths occurred about 3:40 AM in an open field at the Polsa Rosa Ranch in Acton. The men were thrown from the helicopter and pronounced dead at the scene. Film permit information lists the production as Untitled Military Project. Shooting began Saturday. Original story posted at 12:29 PM.
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This is tragic. I feel bad for the people and families who just lost people…but…
Leave the military maneuvers to the professionally trained soldiers. This is similar to all the “Bro’s” who watch a bit too much UFC and think they can kick anyone’s butt. The “real deal” is not to be trifled with by amateurs.
There’s your REALITY.
You’re a moron, Vincent. That’s the reality. They were most assuredly filming when the accident occurred, not doing military maneuvers.
Not the time or place buddy. Three people just died. I know you tried to make it look like you cared with your first statement, but you couldn’t help showing your true, narcissistic colors.
Yes, all television and movie should NEVER portray or recreate a military mission, because douchebags like you are the epitome of American exceptionalism.
This is terrible, and my condolences go out to anyone and the families involved. I’ll have to apologize for my fellow homo-sapien’s tasteless arrogance.
“Leave military moves to professionally trained soldiers”?? How does what you wrote make sense? Were you a member of the crew from this show or privy to inside info regarding the incident? If you’re basing your comment on the Deadline Hollywood Update alone, you make no sense. You don’t know that they were attempting military maneuvers. They could very well have been just filming from the helicopter. If you do have inside information, I apologize. But if not, you sound like a goof.
You’re a moron, there’s your reality. The fact is, David was an EXTREMELY experienced pilot, was NOT “doing military maneuvers” and you know nothing about what you are talking about. Only a complete a-hole would make a post like yours after 3 people DIED, and it turns out, ALL of your assumptions are wrong.
I know Mike personally. Served with him in a Ranger Bn and in an SF Group. He was without a doubt the “real deal”. He will be greatly missed in the community you know nothing about.
what an idiotic post. Im shocked and stunned by your ineptitude!!!!!!
David was much more experienced than 90% of all the pilots in the military; i got to know him at a safety course I took last year. Great guy, good pilot, and successful business man. You should stick to what you know, which is nothing about David or what he was doing when they crashed.
The pilot was extremely experienced. One of the best in the business.
Yes he was. And highly respected. My heart goes out to his loved ones. He will be greatly missed.
I personally knew David Gibbs, I have flown with him in both Helicopters and in my personal plane. He was a Great pilot and a Friend. a good man and a gentleman. We use to go to Mammoth and Big Bear to Ski. I am shocked that this has happen. He was a great pilot. Does anyone know what happen and anyone know about services. God rest their souls….
You don’t know anything about what happened, so apologize and then STFU.
They were just filming in the helicopter, not doing military maneuvers. So you’re wrong and an idiot.
We don’t know any details of what happened at this point so it’s far too early to speculate. Let the investigators do their work.
The pilot who was tragically killed IS extremely skilled with precision maneuvers.! How dare anyone make a comment without knowing this pilot and the circumstances as you do not know this pilot’s background nor flying experience. Bottom line 3 beautiful people died today and instead of critical statements insulting the families and friends, how about saying sorry for their loss and offering up condolences. The helicopter community is very small and all involved are devastated. Prayers please and leave the judgmental comments to yourself. This is the time if you cannot say something positive then say nothing at all. Thank you.
My own update, stating my name and not afraid to stand behind my words.
Couldn’t have said this better. Dave Gibbs was an amazing pilot and an even better person. His work on “The Amazing Race” was brilliant and really helped tell the story of the final three teams racing to the finish. He will be sorely missed. I am just so saddened to hear this news. RIP Dave Gibbs.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dave Gibbs for the past 10 years. He was an incredibly gifted pilot and wonderful human being. Accidents happen. Helicopters crash. I am most certain nothing was being done here that was inappropriate or unsafe. That’s not who he was.
Well said.
Also…Well said.
Well said God bless the family’and we need to take time out for safety concerns in this mad race for the not so mighty, in this case, dollar. Loss of human life is not at all in the equation or anyone’s plans. There just films, creatures of fiction at best
David Gibbs was a Great Pilot. He was a Great teacher also. Very knowledgeable. I know I was his friend and I have flown with him.
Probably the real story here is whether or not the pilot was exhausted and over-worked as so many production people are in reality TV, especially Discovery Shows.
Darren was a friend and colleague who I worked with back in 2005. Really great guy, this very sad
Thanks everyone for putting stupid Vincent in his place. I had a whole tirade written in my head then read yours and realized you’d covered it. Thanks and you’re 100 % right. It was a production company hired copter shooting aerials, not attempting military maneuvers. Freak!
I am well familiar with that filming location, and knowing how many long, fatiguing hours production crews work. 3.40am, is no time to have a helicopter working on a “reality” show of all things. Whether the pilot is experienced or not, it’s still a big extra risk, specially if they are doing repeated takes, which is not known right now.
Condolences to the families of the dead. Helicopters can be very unforgiving, specially at low altitude flying. Coupled with the cold and darkness of an early morning, and knowing how anxious filming crews can be to get that “shot”, none of it is worth it for any kind of show!
Just to let you know that one of the men was a trained military soldier who served in the war, so get informed before you post what you don’t know
He was my brother in law and he was a good man and faught for our country.
Very sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss…..
The pilot who died today IS extremely experienced and flew with precision maneuvers. The comments saying leave the flying to professionals is disgusting and horribly inappropriate not only to his friends and coworkers but moreover to his family! You do NOT know this pilots background and flying history nor the circumstances not that it matters at this point, but today 3 beautiful lives were taken away too soon. Please out of respect and human decency how about offering up condolences and prayers to all involved instead of the judgmental words. The helicopter and entertainment industry is very close knit and quite devastated. Unless you cannot say something kind, please keep the hurtful and harmful comments to yourself. Our reality today, is 3 people will no longer get to spend tonight with their family and that is most sad.
Today this world lost 3 very talented and respected people who will be forever missed. To the families and friends and coworkers, know my husband’s and my love, support and prayers are behind everyone of you. Your grief is shared by many and we as a film community are all devastated by this horrific and most unexpected accident. Love and prayers!
Helicopter pilots who fly cameramen around for aerials for television are consummate professionals. They are some of the best pilots in the world, and by and large are former military pilots with a lifetime of experience. I have worked in the military with helo pilots and have personally worked on a set where these two men flew aerials, and can say that these pilots are extremely skilled. Do not doubt or ridicule their experience or skill. This is a tragic accident. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families of these fine men.
Darren was DP on a film I directed last August- it’s a terrible shock to hear that this happened.
Darren was an incredibly passionate and visionary DP.
(and a really great to work with)
This is unbelievably tragic news.
I would like to add for those assuming production had anything to do with this accident along with time of day etc etc, for a little education to the readers, before ANY film shoot takes place and a permit is issued, the pilot must make a flight plan with the FAA and these routes are scouted before filming. Also the FAA and pilot(s) inspects the location and is extremely thorough in their judgement for safe flying before a permit is granted, etc. Plus aerial ground crew is onsite to communicate with the pilot and an FSO (fire safety officer) is also at the location. The FAA and or FSO has the power to cancel at any time production if he or she sees any issues with safety that is known.
Many precautions are taken into account before the bird flies and this pilot would never have placed himself in danger nor those on board or on the ground. Additionally, the location would most likely have a site manager(s) who also keeps an eye on safety and can speak up if he or she sees anything that would put people or the property in danger. Please before speculation and random statements are expressed await the results of the investigation along with the Coroner’s report before misguided comments about the film industry are made. This statement is just my opinion and in no way am I declaring what took place this morning since I was not there, however, in my opinion and experience the protocols I mentioned above are my past history with FAA and pilots and with location personnel and safety is taken very seriously especially when helicopters are involved.
Again, prayers to all involved. We grieve alongside you.
Sad news to hear. I wonder if the show will continue shooting after something horrible as this.
At least they died doing something they loved. Most of us will die at the age of 80 of some nasty illness, having worked in a job for fifty years that we absolutely hated. These guys knew the occupational hazards, and enjoyed their line of work. Let’s celebrate their lives, not grieve.
My heart goes out to the families.
Certainly a tragic loss of life, and as B Brozey has said, the pilot was very skilled and various precautions are taken. I was fortunate to work with two of HOLLYWOOD’s most legendary chopper pilots, Jim Gavin and Davey Jones. They performed numerous iconic flying stunts, and aided in getting even more breath taking aerial
photographic shots. They’re both equally as dangerous.
Unlike the 1960′s and 70′s, there is a lot less demand for helicopters on screen, producers don’t mind paying for riding to and from the airport in them, but they hate to pay for them for a production. Maybe the TWILIGHT ZONE “accident” had something to do with that, but I did recall pilots telling me how even simple aerial photography at night, can be so much more hazardous than stunt chopper flying in the day. As for their thoughts on the FAA, its best not to comment.
The cruel irony is HOLLYWOOD has a good safety record accident-wise, and a lousy one for so many that never live to see a pension. Again, our hearts go out to the friends and families.
Darren “Daz” was an incredible human being. He was the D.P. on my makeup tutorials and a good friend. We had other projects in the works with Daz and are so shocked and saddened by this news. The world has not only lost a wonderful D.P but one of the most decent and compassionate people I have ever met.
First of all, as a civilian helicopter pilot and one who knew this pilot personally, he was among the best helicopter pilots both military or civilian. Secondly, military pilots aren’t pros in the helicopter game. Not to discredit military drivers. This man had 25,000+ hours and again was arguably one of the best. Three men lost their lives and you’re criticizing and comparing this to UFC. Are you serious? UFC? It’s a shame that your attack is based on speculation and opinion as opposed to credible fact.
David Gibbs was an amazing stunt helicopter pilot and a true professional. He very much knew what he was doing and had years experience doing it. Please don’t make such ugly comments without knowing someone’s background. That is unprofessional. Karen Price Castoldi
I have worked in TV for many years (and with some of the crew of on this show) and will say that while production crews work very long hours, the pilots for aerial shots most certainly do not, simply because they are so expensive. The crew will set up for hours/days to make sure that the pilot spends the absolute minimum amount of time on set to keep costs down. Yes, the crash occurred at 3:40am, but the pilot had not been there shooting all day before that. It was a night shoot, which means they probably didn’t even start shooting until after sundown and the helicopter portion was most likely just a part of what they were shooting that night. The pilot may have been tired, but the truth is no one knows what caused the crash and it’s too soon to be throwing blame one way or another. I know the crew is devastated, I can’t imagine what the families are feeling. My heart goes out to them.
Thank you all for putting that idiot Vincent in check. The pilot Dave Gibbs was a very talented and beautiful human being,I know this first hand. Gibbs touched so many peoples lives and was a big part of the aerial television broadcast community, may he and the others that lost their lives rest in peace. Condolence and prayers to all who are hurting with this tragic loss of life…and to others like Vince,unless you knew these men…STFU !!!