Authorities have confirmed that there are no survivors from a helicopter crash that occurred near a small airport in Twin Cities Barb on Saturday afternoon, resulting in an explosion. The Lakeville Police Department stated that the aircraft, identified as a Robinson R66, went down around 2:45 PM local time, just west of Airlake Airport.
Emergency responders concluded that there were no survivors at the crash site. It’s worth noting that the helicopter had struck a power line before crashing into a barge on the Mississippi River, and unfortunately, the number of individuals on board remains unclear.
The Robinson R66, a single-engine turbine helicopter designed for one pilot and up to four passengers, is typically equipped with a glass cockpit. Police reported that the crash occurred in a non-residential area, emphasizing that there were no injuries to anyone on the ground.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) informed that the helicopter “crashed under unknown circumstances and caused a post-crash fire.” NTSB investigators are en route to the scene and are expected to arrive on Sunday afternoon, where they will begin documenting the site and inspecting the wreckage. The damaged helicopter will be moved to a secure location for further analysis. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been notified and will be involved in the investigation.
Lakeville is situated about 20 miles south of Minneapolis and 25 miles south of St. Paul. As of now, the City of Lakeville, along with the FAA and NTSB, have not released further comments following inquiries regarding the incident.
