Two men who spent more than a decade honoring veterans through helicopter demonstrations lost their lives in a crash on Saturday afternoon near Airlake Airport in Lakeville, Minnesota. The victims were Dave Schmitz, 81, of Spooner, Wisconsin, and Robert “Bob” Drallmeier, 66, of Glenwood City, Wisconsin. Both were military veterans and longtime partners in Combat Helicopters LLC, a group dedicated to keeping the memory of Vietnam War-era Huey helicopters alive.
According to family, friends, and fellow pilots, Schmitz and Drallmeier were not just teammates but close friends who shared a deep passion for flying and supporting veterans. The two men had been performing flight demonstrations together for 11 years, captivating thousands of spectators across the Midwest with their vintage Huey helicopter. Their shows were more than displays of aviation skill—they were tributes to veterans, meant to honor service and sacrifice. The group collected several awards for their work, including recognition at the renowned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show.
Barry Hammarback, who co-founded Combat Helicopters alongside Schmitz, said the organization grew out of a shared desire to give back to the veteran community. Schmitz, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, acted as the group’s pilot, while Drallmeier, an Army veteran, took on the role of crew chief. Together, they built an organization that was as much about family as it was about flying. “It was just a tight family,” Hammarback said. “This is the end of the run for us. I just don’t think we can keep doing what we’ve been doing without those two.”
The accident happened after the men took part in a veterans’ event near Jordan, Minnesota, where they had performed earlier in the day. After the show, Schmitz and Drallmeier set out in a Robinson R66, a five-seat single-engine helicopter commonly used for tours and private transport. They planned to stop at Airlake Airport to wait out approaching rain. On the way, however, something went wrong. While the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have not yet confirmed the cause, Hammarback said it appeared the helicopter experienced engine failure. The craft went down around 2:45 p.m. in an open area clear of homes and businesses. Both men died at the scene.
Schmitz, beyond his aviation passion, was also a well-known figure in Spooner, Wisconsin, where he owned and operated Schmitz Economart grocery store. He leaves behind three children and a legacy of service both to his country and to his community. Drallmeier’s family shared that he was deeply devoted not only to flying but also to his large and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Erika and Crystal; his son, Tim; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In a statement, his family said: “His love for flying and his passion for Hueys could only compare to his love of his family. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.”
Authorities have confirmed that both the FAA and NTSB will lead the investigation into the crash, seeking to determine what led to the tragedy. For those who knew Schmitz and Drallmeier, however, the loss goes beyond aviation. They were men who combined their love of flight with their commitment to honoring veterans, leaving behind a powerful legacy of service, camaraderie, and family.
