Three reality-TV crew members were killed early Sunday morning when a helicopter crashed in a rural area of northern Los Angeles County while filming.
Los Angeles County Fire dispatcher Robert Diaz confirmed that around 3:40 a.m., a Bell 206B Jet Ranger went down at Polsa Rosa Ranch in the city of Acton, killing all the passengers onboard. No names have been released.
The show was listed on a filming permit as an untitled military-themed TV program, according to a published report, and channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said it hadn't aired or even been announced by Discovery yet.
"A production company was shooting a show for Discovery Channel when this tragic accident occurred," the channel said in a statement. "We are all cooperating fully with authorities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families."
Philip Sokoloski, a spokesman for FilmLA—a company that processes filming permits for location shootings in the Los Angeles area—said the production company was approved to use a helicopter for a reality show that was scheduled to go from Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.
The reason for the crash is still unknown, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said, and added that the helicopter had substantial damage.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the situation.