Gold's Gym owner Rainer Schaller is feared to have died in a small plane crash in Costa Rica. Schaller, who owns the German fitness studio and other chains, was listed onboard the private jet that crashed while traveling from Mexico to Limon. At least six people were killed including Schaller in the crash.
Schaller's partner Christiane Schikorsky, their children, and a fitness trainer were also passengers on the flight, piloted by a Swiss national. The wreckage of the aircraft was located in the ocean 17 miles from Limon airport. Two bodies, along with luggage, have been recovered but the bodies haven't been identified yet, reported New York Post.
Plane Carrying Schaller Crashed
The Italian-made Piaggio P180 Avanti, a nine-seater plane, had lost communication with Barra de Parismina's control tower in the evening nearly at 6 pm.
@flightradar24 Piaggio Avanti registration D-IRSG with Rainer Schaller a german entrepreneur, Founder CEO of the RSG Group, crash in Caribbeans seas near Limón, Costa Rica, one kid body already founded #flightradar24 #rainerschaller pic.twitter.com/UvSoeGy1js
— Steven VÃquez R (@StevenVR27) October 22, 2022
Schaller is the founder of the RSG Group, which runs over a dozen gym chains and multiple lifestyle brands. Apart from Gold's Gym, the group also owns John Reed and McFit, which is the largest fitness chain in Germany and has more than 200 centers in Germany. The fitness chain, which has more than 1.4 million members, also has centers in Austria, Italy, Poland, and Spain.
First footage of plane wreckage and belongings of victims after plane crash off coast of #Limon/#CostaRica that leaves five victims including billionaire Rainer Schaller, owner of fitness studios McFit and Gold's Gym, and his family.#Schaller #planecrash https://t.co/pTKjCs8MJT
— Michael Barthel (@RealMiBaWi) October 22, 2022
#Ongoing a private P.180 [D-IRSG] with 5 aboard disappeared off Parismina (Costa Rica). Last known location of aircraft was around 24 mi from shore. Among the passengers was Rainer Schaller, Founder and CEO of McFit, Germany´s largest fitness chain. Updates when possible. pic.twitter.com/SwwVMIsJRO
— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) October 22, 2022
Schaller Founded RSG Group
The Gold's Gym was acquired by RSG in 2020 following its request for bankruptcy due to the pandemic. Vice Minister of Public Security Martin Arias stated that 'twenty-eight kilometers from the Limón airport, in the Caribbean Sea, the wreckage was located that apparently indicates that it is the aircraft.'
6 souls onboard a private jet crashed in sea, flying from Mexico to Limón, Costa Rica. Two bodies have been recovered and the search continues.
— Kailee America Media 🗳 Veterans support Democrats (@mana_kai7) October 23, 2022
Aviation Piaggio Avanti registration D-IRSG w Rainer Schaller Founder of the RSG Group, crash in Caribbean. pic.twitter.com/U536kSMDaX
McFit spokeswoman Jeanine Minaty said the fitness company's founder and CEO Schaller was on the plane. His partner Christiane Schikorsky was also on board, along with their children. Another man was also reportedly with the family, reported DW citing Bild.
Reports claimed that Schaller's net worth in 2019 was estimated at around $246 million.
