Two Tom Cruise Movie Crew Killed in Piper Aerostar Crash

Megan Elliott

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 09:36 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A Piper Aerostar involved in the production of the Tom Cruise film "Mena" crashed near Medellin, Colombia, resulting in two fatalities and one critical injury.
Veteran Hollywood pilot Alan Purwin and cameraman Carlos Berl were killed in the crash, while pilot Jimmy Lee Garland survived with severe injuries.
Purwin was an experienced helicopter pilot known for working on major films like "Pearl Harbor" and "Transformers."
Universal Pictures confirmed the accident, stating the aircraft was returning after production wrap, and extended condolences to the victims' families.

See a mistake? Contact us.

A Piper Aerostar used in the Tom Cruise film “Mena” crashed near Medellin, Colombia, on Friday, killing two and leaving one in critical condition.

The U.S. embassy confirmed the crash Sunday, but did not release the names of the occupants. However, local reports say the victims of the deadly crash were veteran Hollywood pilot Alan Purwin and cameraman Carlos Berl. The pilot, Jimmy Lee Garland, survived the crash and is being treated for severe injuries at Medellin hospital.