Police helicopter makes hard landing near Washburn University
Originally published 12:32 a.m., April 5, 2008
Updated 06:05 p.m., April 22, 2008
Around 11:55p.m. Friday, the newest police helicopter made a hard landing in a Washburn University parking lot near 17th and Washburn. Three people, two pilots and one observer, were on board the chopper at the time. No one on the ground or in the aircraft was injured.
The pilots and passenger were taken to St. Francis Hospital for observation and released early Saturday morning.
The helicopter unit was answering a call when the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure, according to police. While attempting to land, the chopper hit a light pole, which made it end up on its side.
The helicopter involved was the Robinson R-44 II, the newer of the two Topeka Police copters. Specs for the R-44 are available here.
Bystander interview
Washburn junior Nathan Ansley was at a fraternity house right across the street from the crash scene. Hear his description of what happened when the chopper went down.
Officials from the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will be on the scene Saturday to continue the investigation.
Police Chief Ron Miller temporarily grounded the Helicopter Unit until all investigations are complete.
As a result of the forced landing, the police department will conduct a review of all polices and procedures of the Helicopter Unit.
This comes on the same day Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten vetoed a City Council purchase of a new Robinson R-44 II Helicopter for the Topeka Police Department. During a five hour meeting on Tuesday, Council members voted 5-4 to purchase the chopper. It's a purchase Council members have been trying to make since the summer of 2007.
Information from TPD
Topeka Police Officer Gary Herman comments on the accident here.
We will continue to update this story here on KTKA.com and we'll have the full story for you on Saturday's 49 News at 10.
Take a ride
Get a taste of what it is like to fly in a police helicopter in this report from July 18, 2007.
Helicopter veto story archive
- Police Department wants to purchase new helicopter (August 8, 2006)
- New helicopter approved for Topeka Police (December 4, 2007)
- Mayor unhappy about unorthodox approval of police helicopter (December 5, 2007)
- New helicopter still bone of contention (December 12, 2007)
- Potential violation of Open Meetings Act (December 13, 2007)
- Another meeting, another police helicopter debate (December 18, 2007)
- Topeka taxpayers could pay thousands of dollars for nothing (December 20, 2007)
- City leaders decide to buy new police helicopter (June 26, 2007)
- Mayor says no to new helicopter (July 2, 2007)
- Future of helicopter up in the air (July 18, 2007)
- Override doesn't fly (July 24, 2007)
- Topeka tayxpayers could pay thousands of dollars for nothing (December 20, 2007)
- Helicopter veto upheld by district attorney (January 19, 2008)
- Helicopter veto issue part of governmental checks and balances (January 20, 2008)
- Controversy over whether unmanned aerial vehicles should patrol Topeka (January 21, 2008)
- DA releases opinion on police helicopter lease agreement (February 22, 2008)
- District Attorney takes city to court (Feb. 29, 2008)
- DA moves forward with City Council spending controversy (March 26, 2008)
- City administration admits contract mistake (March 27, 2008)
- City Council revisits two problem subjects (April 1, 2008)
- Council votes could bring more controversy (April 2, 2008)
- Mayor vetoes helicopter purchase again (April 4, 2008)
- Police helicopter makes hard landing near Washburn (April 5, 2008)
- Council voids helicopter contract (May 20, 2008)
Comments
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Apr. 5, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)robwelcher (Rob Welcher)
Hmmm. I guess we're getting a new duck...I mean helicopter now...
Apr. 7, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)catman2806 (anonymous)
I'm so weary of that stinkin' helicopter that I'm vacationing in Saratoga County, N.Y. What it actually does, besides chug fuel & scare the fiends & tweakers half to death, I really don't know. I know that between Fred Phelps & the City Council, Topeka in particular & Kansas in general, are a laughing-stock for the rest of the nation.
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