Authorities said following the early-morning crash in Colbert County, emergency personnel began sweeping the surrounding area but had found no survivors, the Florence (Ala.) Times Daily reported.

The helicopter reportedly had been in the area trying to locate a missing hunter when it suddenly went down just as its crew had found the man.

Authorities are unsure what caused the aircraft to plummet or exactly how many crew members were on board.

Air Evac helicopters, which are typically used in search-and-rescue missions, usually contain three-man crews.

The Times Daily said Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Security Board investigators will determine what caused the helicopter to crash.