Pilots involved in reality TV helicopter crash were experienced

Argentina  — The two helicopters had just taken off and were flying in tandem over some of Argentina's most rugged terrain, carrying well-known French athletes and others who were participating in the popular TV reality show Dropped.

Then one of the aircraft suddenly swerved, clipping the other and sending both plummeting to the ground in the foothills of the Andes and killing all 10 people on board.

The helicopters were in good condition and both Argentine pilots were qualified and experienced, family and officials said Tuesday, with speculation on why the collision happened ranging from blinding sunlight to the thermal updrafts that are common in the hot, cactus-filled landscape.

Andres Navarrete, mayor of Lamadrid, the northwestern municipality that includes the town of Villa Castelli close to the crash site, said one of the pilots, Juan Carlos Castillo, had "an entire life of experiences" flying helicopters.

Monday's crash, which killed eight French nationals and the two Argentine pilots, sent France into mourning and raised questions about the dangers of filming survivalist reality programs in far-flung lands under extreme conditions.

Olympians on board