Pilot survives helicopter crash in Dakota County

The crash south of Hastings is under investigation.

June 16, 2017 at 12:51AM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A pilot spraying insecticide suffered only minor injuries when the helicopter he was flying crashed Thursday morning in Dakota County, the sheriff's office said.

The Bell 47 helicopter went down around 10:10 a.m. in a farm field near the intersection of 180th Street and Hwy. 61 in Marshan Township, just south of Hastings, said Sgt. Chris Melton.

The pilot, who was the only person on board, walked to an ambulance and was taken to a hospital, Melton said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the helicopter to drop from the sky and land in a potato field, said FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro.

He said the agency will send a team to the crash scene to investigate.

The chopper was a total loss, Melton said.

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Tim Harlow

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Tim Harlow covers traffic and transportation issues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and likes to get out of the office, even during rush hour. He also covers the suburbs in northern Hennepin and all of Anoka counties, plus breaking news and weather. 

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