A helicopter crashed and erupted in flames Saturday afternoon in a rural area near Lakeville, Minnesota, killing everyone on board, officials said.
The single-engine Robinson R66 went down about 2:45 p.m. near Highway Avenue and 219th Street West, roughly 25 miles south of Minneapolis and just west of Airlake Airport, Lakeville Police said. Flight data show the aircraft had departed Sky Park Airport in Lydia at about 2:35 p.m. and reached a peak altitude of roughly 2,000 feet before descending rapidly.
"The preliminary information we have is the helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances and a post-crash fire ensued," the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement. Lakeville Police said no survivors were found at the scene but had not released how many people had been on board.
FlightAware and other online flight data indicated the chopper was en route to Airlake Airport after departing Sky Park. The Robinson R66 is certified to carry a pilot and up to four passengers. Authorities said there were no reports of injuries to anyone on the ground.
Emergency responders and investigators from local agencies and federal authorities were on scene Saturday evening. The NTSB typically dispatches investigators to collect wreckage, review maintenance and pilot records, and analyze flight data and witness accounts to determine the probable cause of such accidents. The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration will coordinate the formal investigation, officials said.
Officials have not released the identities of the victims or detailed information about the flight's purpose. Authorities also did not provide an estimate for how long the investigation would take or say when more information would be released.
Helicopter accidents are investigated with attention to mechanical condition, weather, pilot experience and air-traffic communications. Local law enforcement secured the crash site while investigators documented the scene and removed debris. Nearby roadways were not reported closed, and there were no indications of damage to structures or injuries to people on the ground.
The Lakeville Police Department and the NTSB asked anyone who may have witnessed the flight or the crash to contact investigators. Further updates will be provided by authorities as they complete on-scene work and begin a technical review of the aircraft and circumstances surrounding the accident.