PALM BAY, Fla. – More than a day after a military-style helicopter crashed in The Compound area of Palm Bay killing all three poeple on board, agents tell News 6 there's no early indication what caused the crash and subsequent explosion.
[PHOTOS: 3 dead in Palm Bay helicopter crash]
Crews removed the wreckage Wednesday for continuing investigation.
"This is day one of a six to 12 month investigation," said National Transportation Safety Board Senior Safety Investigator Robert Gretz. "We're just sort of documenting the scene. We're limited with what we can do out here without the proper tools."
Agents say there was no distress call made from the helicopter in the 10 or 15 minutes it was in the air after taking off from the airport in Melbourne around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The helicopter flew to a remote, southwest corner of Palm Bay for a test-flight after getting some maintenance done.
"From what we've seen of all the video just prior to the crash, it was just maneuvering in a slow circle around the field," said Gretz.
Agents say the chopper which was built in the '70s was up to date with its FAA required inspections.
Investigators will determine whether the crash was pilot or mechanical error, or the weather.
The medical examiner's office Wednesday did not release to News 6 the names of the deceased .
The helicopter wreckage is being taken to a hangar in Fort Pierce.
**AIRCRAFT INCIDENT**Possible aircraft down in the compound area of PalmBay. BCFR Hazmat and R89 responding with Palm Bay Fire. PBs incident
— BCFRpio (@BCFRpio) September 6, 2016
Stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this developing story.