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Update: Friday, Oct. 15 at 2:17 p.m.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol pilot has died in the crash of a helicopter he was flying in suburban St. Louis.

The patrol said Sgt. Joseph Schuengel, 47, was alone in the helicopter when it went down around 11 a.m. Friday in a subdivision in the Clarkson Valley area. Patrol spokesman Al Nothum says the cause is being investigated.

The helicopter landed on a street about 100 feet from a house. The patrol said there were no injuries or structural damage on the ground.

Schuengel was a 17-year Highway Patrol veteran. Nothum said he was heading to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield after a routine patrol in Jefferson County when the crash occurred.

Gov. Jay Nixon ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at all Missouri Highway Patrol Facilities to honor Schuengel.

Witnesses told KSDK.com that the pilot appears to have guided the aircraft onto the road to avoid injuring people on the ground.

Update: Friday, Oct. 15 at 1:10 p.m.

From: KSDK.com

The helicopter did not crash into any structures and according to witnesses, the pilot appears to have guided the aircraft onto the road to avoid injuring people on the ground.

A witness to the crash, Joan Wilson, told KSDK.com there was no fire and said it was silent after the crash. She said the helicopter blade is off to the side of the wreckage in a nearby yard. A number of witnesses reported that the helicopter's rotor came off as the aircraft went down. Some other debris is scattered in nearby yards.

Update: Friday, Oct. 15 at 12: 27 p.m.

From: KSDK.com

At least one person is dead after a helicopter crashed in Clarkson Valley in West St. Louis County.

The fatality was confirmed around noon by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Highway Patrol told KSDK.com that the helicopter disappeared while in flight Friday around 11 a.m.

The vicinity of the crash is the Kehrs Mill Trails subdivision.

Original Story:

From KMOV.com

St. Louis County police have confirmed a Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter crashed in Clarkson Valley. This happened at 1834 Horseshoe Ridge.

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KMOV.com: MHP helicopter crashed in St. Louis County