Wisconsin Community Mourns After Helicopter Crash in Lakeville Claims Lives of Two Men
LAKEVILLE, MN — A devastating helicopter crash near Airlake Airport on Saturday afternoon has left two Wisconsin communities in mourning, as officials confirmed the deaths of 81-year-old Dave Schmitz, of Spooner, and 66-year-old Robert Drallmeier, of Glenwood City. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. near Highview Avenue and 219th Street, just outside the Lakeville city limits.
According to authorities, both men were killed instantly after the aircraft went down under what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described as “unknown circumstances.” Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but no survivors were found. The crash site, located in a lightly wooded area near the airport, has since become the focus of a federal investigation.
Investigation Underway
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash, which involved a small helicopter carrying two people — one crew member and one passenger. A preliminary report is expected within the next 30 days, though officials caution that a final determination of the cause may take several months.
Witnesses reported hearing the helicopter overhead before a sudden, sharp descent. First responders secured the area, and federal investigators have begun analyzing wreckage, flight data, and maintenance records in hopes of identifying what went wrong.
Flight records reviewed after the crash indicate that the helicopter departed Shell Lake, Wisconsin, earlier that morning and made several brief stops, including one in Jordan, Minnesota, where pilot Dave Schmitz had participated in a veterans’ event.
Victims Identified
The two victims have been officially identified by the medical examiner, who determined that both Schmitz and Drallmeier died from multiple blunt force injuries. Their deaths have been ruled accidental.
Schmitz was the registered pilot of the aircraft and a well-known figure in both aviation and veteran communities. A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he flew helicopters in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in combat. His love for flight carried over into civilian life, where he became a fixture in his hometown of Spooner.
Schmitz was also the longtime operator of his family’s Economart grocery store and co-founder of the T6 Thunder Flight Team, a group dedicated to flying vintage military aircraft at veterans’ celebrations and patriotic events across the Midwest.
“Dave was one of those people who gave his all — to his country, to his community, and to aviation,” said a fellow pilot and friend. “He never stopped flying because he believed it brought people together.”
His passenger, Robert Drallmeier, was also a respected member of his community in Glenwood City. While less is publicly known about his aviation experience, friends say he shared Schmitz’s passion for flight and was likely accompanying him on the trip as part of their mutual involvement in veterans and aviation events.
A Day Meant for Celebration Ends in Tragedy
Just hours before the fatal crash, Schmitz had flown as part of a veterans’ flyover in Jordan, MN, commemorating military service and community pride. Friends say it was an event he wouldn’t have missed — a testament to his lifelong dedication to honoring fellow servicemen and women.
“He lived to serve and to remember those who served,” one veteran said. “Flying wasn’t just a hobby for Dave — it was a mission, a calling.”
That same sense of purpose and camaraderie is what makes the loss all the more painful for those who knew both men. Across Wisconsin, flags have been lowered, tributes have poured in, and friends and family are grappling with the unexpected shock of such a tragic ending to a day that began in honor and celebration.
Community Reaction and Tributes
In Spooner, where Dave Schmitz was known not just as a war hero but as a neighbor and community leader, the grief is palpable. Local officials have expressed condolences and pledged to honor his legacy in the days to come.
Plans for a memorial flyover and community service are already underway, according to veterans’ groups and aviation clubs that Schmitz supported for decades.
Similarly, in Glenwood City, friends of Robert Drallmeier have begun organizing remembrance gatherings, sharing stories of a man who brought humor, warmth, and heart to every room.
“We’re heartbroken,” said one local resident. “Both men lived full lives and left behind people who loved them deeply. Their passing leaves a void we can’t begin to fill.”
Looking Ahead
As the FAA and NTSB continue their work, the focus remains on ensuring safety for future flights while preserving the memory of two men who loved the skies. The community waits for answers but is also leaning into the comfort of shared memories and long-held respect.
In Memoriam: Dave Schmitz & Robert Drallmeier
Their lives were filled with purpose, passion, and service. Though taken too soon, Dave Schmitz and Robert Drallmeier leave behind legacies of patriotism, generosity, and brotherhood.
Their final flight may have ended in tragedy, but their spirits remain forever in the skies they so loved to soar.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and communities grieving this tremendous loss. May they find comfort in one another and peace in the memories shared.