News Chopper Makes Hard Landing On Boston Common

A television news helicopter has made a hard landing on the Boston Common, but no one has been injured in the incident.

An eyewitness tells The Associated Press that the WCVB-TV helicopter was flying without any lights and with its engines powered off shortly before landing on Tuesday night.

Thomas Golden of Pembroke also said the helicopter circled around the common before landing near the intersection of Charles and Beacon Streets. The 21-year-old Golden works at the Frog Pond, a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink in Boston Common.

It was not immediately clear whether the helicopter had suffered an engine failure. Executives at the ABC affiliate in Boston did not immediately return an e-mail and calls for comment.

A small crowd of curious onlookers gathered behind two police cruisers parked near the helicopter.