Bell 47G-5A accident near Wisconsin Rpds, Wisconsin, March 22, 1994
On March 22, 1994 at about 9:40 pm local time, a Bell 47G-5A (helicopter), registered N2991W, was destroyed in an accident near Wisconsin Rpds, Wisconsin. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Undetermined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 1994 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Wisconsin Rpds, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-5A · all 47G-5As on the register
- Registration
- N2991W · no longer on the register · serial 25068
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER DEPARTED WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WISCONSIN, IN VFR CONDITIONS, ON MARCH 22, 1994, AND DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE INTENDED DESTINATION OF MASON CITY, IOWA. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED ON MARCH 24, 1994, AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BY HUNTERS ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1994, IN A WOODED AREA, APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY MECHANICAL ANOMALIES IN THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. POST MORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE- EXISTING ANOMALIES.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,695 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 18, 1994
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ISW Wis. Rapids WI at 9:30 pm
- Destination: MCW Mason City IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from CWA, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.