Cause Of Deadly Plane Crash On Set Of Tom Cruise Movie Remains Mystery
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The cause of a deadly plane crash on a set of a Tom Cruise movie filming in Colombia Friday remains a mystery.
The plane crashed shortly after take off -- headed to Medellin. The film "Mena" is about a pilot who worked for the dangerous and often deadly drug cartels in Medellin.
Alan Purwin, a movie and stunt pilot, was among the two people killed.
KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo reported on the story Saturday.
She said authorities in Colombia recommended to the film studios hire at least one local pilot familiar with the country's rugged terrain and mountainous region.
Cruise reportedly flew over the same dangerous mountain range just 10 minutes before the plane carrying Purwin went down.
It is not clear if the studio heeded that warning or if hiring a local pilot would have made a difference in the accident. Some believe bad weather played a factor in the crash.
Fajardo said that none of the three people on board was from Colombia. It was not clear who was at the controls. Purwin was killed along with a Venezuelan crew member named Carlos Berl. Jimmy Lee Garland ,another pilot, from Georgia, was badly hurt and is hospitalized.
On Saturday, some of Hollywood's biggest stars mourned Purwin's loss.
Helinet says Purwin has been flying since he was 16. The company called him a true pioneer and one of the greatest pilots.
His more than 140 credits include movies like "Transformers," "Anchorman 2" and "Taken 2" as well as the remake of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."
Actor-director Ben Stiller, who re-made "Mitty," posted a picture on Saturday on Instagram. He wrote, "One of my favorite moments ever with Alan Purwin. Always felt safe with him. Sending love and prayers to his family. There was no one better at what he did. Respect."
Purwin also founded Helinet, the company at the controls of Sky2 and Sly9.
Helinet says Purwin has been flying since he was 16. The company called him a true pioneer and one of the greatest pilots.
Purwin, a Calabasas resident, is survived by his wife and two children.
