'Flying Wild Alaska' Pilot Jim Tweto Dies in Accident

The bush pilot and his passenger were killed while attempting to take off in Tweto's Cessna 180.

Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 09:33 PM ET

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Experienced bush pilot and "Flying Wild Alaska" star Jim Tweto was killed in an aircraft accident near Shaktoolik, Alaska, on June 16. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Jim Tweto, star of Discovery Channel's "Flying Wild Alaska," died in an aircraft accident on June 16 near Shaktoolik, Alaska, along with passenger Shane Reynolds.
The accident occurred during an attempted takeoff in Tweto's Cessna 180, with witnesses observing the aircraft failed to climb.
Tweto gained fame through "Flying Wild Alaska," which aired for three seasons and documented his family's operation of Era Alaska, a regional airline serving remote Alaskan communities.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

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Experienced bush pilot and “Flying Wild Alaska” star Jim Tweto was killed in an aircraft accident on June 16 near Shaktoolik, Alaska, according to authorities.

According to the Alaska State Troopers, Tweto, 68 of Unalakleet, Alaska, and passenger Shane Reynolds, age 45 of Orofino, Idaho, were attempting to take off in Tweto’s Cessna 180 around noon, but according to witnesses, the aircraft failed to climb.