Authorities find helicopter, but no occupants, in bean field northwest of Clarkson

CLARKSON, Neb. – A helicopter was found in a northeast Nebraska bean field Friday morning.

According to Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger, his office received a call at approximately 11:00 a.m. after Stanton County Public Power reported finding a helicopter while investigating a power outage.

Unger said the helicopter struck a power line northwest of Clarkson, causing damage to the helicopter and forcing the pilot to land. When the helicopter was discovered, no occupants were located.

“The pilot wasn’t injured, but unfortunately, they didn’t tell anybody,” Unger said.

Unger said the pilot and a passenger returned to Valley, where they were from. Their location wasn't determined until after an hour-long search near the scene, he said.

The helicopter is currently unflyable and will need to be removed by special equipment from the field int he next few days, Unger said.

“It wasn’t crumpled or anything, but it won’t be able to fly without significant work being done to it,” Unger said of the helicopter.