Minnesota: Helicopter crashes near Airlake Airport, bursts into flames, leaving no survivors; FAA and NTSB launch probe

A helicopter crashed and caught fire Saturday afternoon near a suburban airport in the Minnesota Twin Cities, with authorities confirming there are no survivors. The downed aircraft, identified as a Robinson R66, was discovered around 2:45 pm local time west of Airlake Airport, according to a statement from the Lakeville Police Department. Emergency crews arriving on the scene reported the helicopter had burst into flames and that no one onboard survived.It remains unclear how many people were on the aircraft at the time of the crash. The Robinson R66, a single-engine turbine helicopter, typically seats one pilot and four passengers.Police said the crash occurred in a non-residential, non-commercial area, and there were no injuries on the ground.The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the helicopter “crashed under unknown circumstances and a post-crash fire ensued.” An investigator is expected to arrive in Minnesota on Sunday to document the scene and examine the wreckage before it is moved to a secure facility for further evaluation.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been notified. Both the FAA and NTSB will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.