Some described it as chaos.

"I've never seen anything like it before," said Nathan Ansley, witness.

It was a Topeka police helicopter, not in the air but on the ground, severely damaged, in the middle of a parking lot at Washburn University.

"There were just people coming out of buildings, all these police officers were coming out of nowhere setting up the perimeter immediately," he said. "Cars were stopping on the side of the road to figure out what was going on."

Topeka police say two pilots and an observer where in the chopper at the time of the crash landing.

Police say the aircraft was on a call backing ground units when it experienced a mechanical failure.

That's when the pilot tried to land, but they hit a light pole, which caused the chopper to end up on its side.

No one was injured.

"Anytime the pilots know they're coming down they try to pick the best spot they can make," Topeka Police Officer Gary Herman said.

As night turned into to day, the scene became clearer.

People came to take pictures of the Robinson R-44 helicopter still lying in the parking lot, surrounded by yellow tape, debris and a bent light pole.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board began its investigation today.

"Certainly there's a whole multitude of issues that this bird will have to go through if it ever goes back in the air," Herman said.

The accident comes just one day after Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten vetoed the purchase of a new helicopter.

It's the second time he's said no.

City Council members have been trying to buy a new one since last year.

The police chief has temporarily grounded the helicopter unit until the investigation is complete.

See our original coverage of the downed helicopter here.