Pilot dies after crop-dusting crash in Shelby County

Monday update:

The pilot in the fatal helicopter crash in Shelby County has been identified as Kerry D. Lee, 52, Mooresville. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department said no further information is being released at this time.

From the Republic’s newsgathering partners at WISH-TV:

SHELBY COUNTY — A helicopter being used for crop-dusting crashed Friday night and the pilot is dead, Indiana State Police said.

The aircraft was reported down about 6:25 p.m. in northeastern Shelby County between a cornfield and a tree line near the Shelby-Rush county line.

The pilot, who was not named in a tweet from a state police spokesman, was the only occupant.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said the Bell 47 helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. The model is considered a light helicopter with a single rotor and a single engine. The FAA will investigate the scene on Saturday.

Troopers about 7:45 p.m. Friday were at the scene of the crash near the intersection of county roads N 750 E and E 800 N, which is about a mile south of Gwynneville and about 20 miles southeast of Indianapolis. Authorities were securing the area until officials with the Federal Aviation Authority arrive.