A private jet that crashed off the Costa Rican coast on Saturday is thought to have been carrying the German businessman who owns Gold’s Gym.
NBC Chicago reports that Rainer Schaller was listed as a passenger on the flight manifest, alongside five other passengers. According to The New York Post, Schaller’s partner, Christiane Schikorsky, their children, and a fitness trainer were also onboard the airplane.
The flight couldn’t be found Friday after around 6 p.m., apparently crashing into the Caribbean. On Saturday, Costa Rican authorities discovered pieces of the aircraft in the ocean, 17 miles away from the airport in Limon, a resort town in Costa Rica. Two bodies and luggage were also found. The bodies haven’t yet been identified.
“We have recovered some pieces of the plane that were washed in by the tide, and two bodies,” Public Security Minister Jorge Torres said.
The aircraft was a nine-seat Piaggio P180 Avanti, made in Italy. The plane was headed for Limon from Mexico. Authorities launched an initial search but it was postponed because of bad weather.
It’s not confirmed that Schaller is the same man who owns the fitness and gym outlets, like Gold’s Gym and McFit, which he operates in 48 countries under the RSG Group. RSG purchased Gold’s Gym in 2020 when it filed for bankruptcy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
