Victims of Fatal Helicopter Crash Near Airlake Airport Identified

Sep 9

**Dave Schmitz**, 81, was identified as the pilot killed in a helicopter crash in Lakeville on Saturday.

Two men from Wisconsin were killed Saturday afternoon when a helicopter crashed near Airlake Airport in Lakeville.

Authorities confirmed that 81-year-old Dave Schmitz, of Spooner, Wisc., and 66-year-old Robert Drallmeier, of Glenwood City, Wisc., died of multiple blunt force injuries at the scene near Highview Avenue and 219th Street around 2:45 p.m.

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The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft “crashed under unknown circumstances” and noted one flight crew member and one passenger were on board. The Lakeville Police Department said no survivors were found. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.

Flight records show the helicopter had departed Shell Lake, Wisc., that morning and made several stops, including in Minnesota, before the crash.

Schmitz and Drallmeier’s deaths were ruled accidental and caused by multiple blunt force injuries.

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Friends identified Schmitz as the pilot. A Marine Corps veteran who flew helicopters in Vietnam, Schmitz was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and was long known in Spooner for his flights over community celebrations. He also operated his family’s Economart grocery store and co-founded the T6 Thunder Flight Team, a group that flew military aircraft in veterans events.

A fellow veteran said Schmitz had flown earlier that day in a veterans gathering in Jordan, Minn., before starting his return trip to Wisconsin.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the crash and the FAA is still investigating.