Surveillance camera records helicopter crash
7:52 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tonight, only on 49 News, never-before-seen video of the crash landing of the Topeka Police helicopter.
The video is from a security camera, mounted on a pole in the parking lot of Stoffer Science Hall, near the intersection of 17th and Washburn on the campus of Washburn University.
The camera is set to randomly scan the parking lot and surrounding areas.
Look closely at the upper left-hand corner of the screen, as the chopper comes into view.
Extended Video
The full raw version of the surveillance video is available in two parts: Part One: The crash ---- Part Two: Law enforcement responds to accident scene.
The rotors hit a light pole, and the helicopter crashes onto its side.
All the parking lot lights are on, including the pole that was hit by the chopper.
Later in the video, with the camera now being operated manually by a dispatcher, you can see the police responding, the chopper laying on its side, and the pilot, co-pilot and an observer out of the helicopter, all OK.
After the crash, Police Chief Ron Miller order the chopper program grounded for the accident investigation and an evaluation of the program, which he says could take up to a year.
Highway Patrol Crash Report
The official Highway Patrol report on the helicopter accident is available here.
We also got a copy of the official Highway Patrol report of the accident.
In it, the pilot, Officer Bill Wempe, said the chopper had been having engine problems.
He identified the parking lot as an emergency landing site, and says he saw the light pole, but thought he'd cleared it.
Story background
- Police helicopter makes hard landing near Washburn University (April 5, 2008)
- Mechanical failure causes chopper crash (April 5, 2008)
- Why chopper crash could intensify debate (April 7, 2008)
- Civilian involved in police helicopter hard landing identified (April 18, 2008)
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