THE DTSB
Pending. Likely failed auto rotate after an engine problem and subsequent attempt to reach the runway, striking fixed objects on the ground.
Robinson R-66 | N6633L
- DTSB analysis published
Key facts
- DateSeptember 6, 2025
- Local time2:45 PM
- LightDay
- WeatherVMC
- Phase of flightApproach
- People on board2
- Fatalities2
- AirportKLVN
Accident Location
- City, State
- Lakeville, Minnesota
- Latitude
- 44.631667
- Longitude
- -93.238333
- Airport ID
- KLVN
Aircraft Info
- N Number
- N6633L
- Make
- Robinson
- Model
- R-66
- Category / Class
- Helicopter
- Amateur Built
- No
Pilot Info
- Pilot in command
- Schmitz, David Kent
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 66
- Certification
- Commercial Pilot
- IFR rating
- Yes
- Medical
- 3rd Class Medical
- Flight school
- No
- Instructional flight
- No
Analysis
- Weather
- VMC
- Time of day
- Day
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Pilot error
- Yes
- Pilot incapacitation
- No
- People on board
- 2
- PIC fatality
- 1
- Passenger fatalities
- 1
- Total fatalities
- 2
- NTSB travel
- Unknown
- AQP category
- 6) MISHANDLED ABN. →
Probable Cause
NTSB
None yet (final report not yet published).
Recommendation
THE DTSB
Pending.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →