Medical Helicopter Crashes After Takeoff in Wisconsin, Killing Surgeon, Nurse and Pilot

MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) _ A medical helicopter dropped off a patient and then crashed shortly after it took off on its return flight to Madison, Wisconsin, killing the surgeon, nurse and pilot on board, officials said Sunday.

The University of Wisconsin Hospital Med Flight crew went down about three miles (five kilometers) from the La Crosse airport, where they departed late Saturday, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said in a statement.

The wreckage was found early Sunday and preliminary reports indicate the helicopter may have struck a hill or some trees, said Margaret Van Bree, the hospital's chief operating officer.

Killed in the crash were surgeon Darren Bean, Mark Coyne, 53; and pilot Steve Lipperer, 39, she said. All three lived in Madison. Bean's age was not immediately available.

There were no concerns about the weather before the crew took off about 10:30 p.m.

''No further communication was received from the crew,'' Van Bree said.

The pilot was flying visually, not using instruments, at the time of the crash, said Med Flight director Mark Hanson. He did not know why.

The aircraft was a new American Eurocopter EC13 leased from Denver-based Air Methods beginning in August, Hanson said.

There were no reported mechanical problems with this particular aircraft or its model, said Mike Allen, senior vice president of hospital-based medical services for Air Methods.

The university system has grounded its other Med Flight helicopter, also leased from Air Methods, pending the investigation into the crash, Hanson said.

The university hospital system has had an air flight program since 1985. This was the first crash.

''In our moments of greatest peril, our lives depend on the courageous work of Med Flight personnel,'' Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle said in a statement. ''Dr. Darren Bean, Mark Coyne and Steve Lipperer dedicated themselves to rescuing people who faced the longest odds, and we owe them tremendous gratitude for their extraordinary service and dedication.''

BC-NA-GEN--US-Helicopter Crash, 3rd Ld-Writethru