Mosquito-Spraying Flights Suspended After Crash

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mosquito-spraying flights have been suspended in the Twin Cities metro area after a fatal helicopter crash.

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District started treating for mosquitoes on Monday and planned to finish Wednesday. But the crash of a helicopter flying to spray for mosquitoes in Maplewood suspended the treatments.

Pilot Michael Kramer was killed in Wednesday's crash. Kramer was an employee of the helicopter company, Scott's Helicopter Service in Le Sueur.

Scott Churchill, owner and operator of Scott's Helicopter Services, says he suspended flights after the crash out of respect for the pilot's family.

Churchill says his pilots will be back in the air Friday to finish treating a few hundred acres in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

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