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.