A helicopter crashed and burned Saturday afternoon near a small airport in the Twin Cities suburbs, and emergency personnel found no survivors at the scene, local police said.
Officers located the downed aircraft at about 2:45 p.m. in an area west of Airlake Airport in Lakeville, Minnesota, the Lakeville Police Department said. Emergency responders determined there did not appear to be any survivors aboard the helicopter.
The aircraft was later identified as a Robinson R66, a single-engine turbine helicopter with a glass cockpit that seats a pilot and up to four passengers. Authorities said it was unclear how many people were aboard at the time of the crash.
Police said the wreckage was in a non-residential, non-commercial area and there was no indication of injuries to anyone on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board said the helicopter crashed "under unknown circumstances and a post-crash fire ensued." The NTSB did not immediately release further details about the cause of the accident or the number of occupants.
State and federal investigators typically examine wreckage, maintenance records and pilot training and experience as part of inquiries into civil aviation accidents. The NTSB often sends a team to the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation and to determine whether the agency will lead a full safety probe.
Authorities had not released the identities of any victims or the total number of people on board as of the latest statement. Lakeville police and other responding agencies closed the immediate area while investigators processed the site, officials said.
Investigators will analyze on-board instruments, maintenance history and weather conditions as part of the ongoing review. Officials urged anyone with information about the incident to contact local law enforcement. Further updates were expected as authorities continue their investigation.