UPDATE: Pilot Killed In Suburban St. Paul Helicopter Crash

MAPLEWOOD (AP) - Authorities say the pilot of a helicopter that went down in a suburban neighborhood near St. Paul was killed in the crash.

Maplewood Acting Police Chief Dave Kvam says the pilot was the only one on board. The helicopter crashed in the backyard of a home, igniting the chopper and a detached garage. Police say no one was in the house or garage when the helicopter went down shortly after 8 a.m.

Donna Basler lives four houses from the crash site and says she heard a "big rattling type noise," didn't hear a crash, but saw smoke billowing from the neighbor's garage.

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District says the plane was under contract to spray for mosquitoes. Kvam says the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.