Bell 206B accident near Coleman, Wisconsin, November 3, 2003
On November 3, 2003 at about 6:40 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N3198C, was destroyed in an accident near Coleman, Wisconsin. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing. The garage building was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 3, 2003 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Coleman, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3198C · no longer on the register · serial 3813
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was destroyed by fire following a forced landing to a residential area following a complete loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he heard a loud "bang" from the back of the helicopter and lost all engine power. An autorotation was performed to the back yard of a residence at which time the main rotor of the helicopter struck a garage. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto it's side and burned. On-scene examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any anomalies attributable to a pre-impact defect. Further examination of the engine, fuel pump, fuel control unit, and the power turbine governor revealed no defects that would have prevented normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,000 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 13,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 27, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,746.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 9, 2003; 39.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AIG Antigo WI at 6:20 pm
- Destination: PVT Abrams WI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 600 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from GRB, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.