A tragic midair collision occurred Wednesday evening at Carlisle Regional Airport in Pennsylvania. A small Cessna 150 airplane struck a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter while the crew performed routine training exercises. The impact proved fatal for the pilot of the Cessna, while two state police troopers on board the helicopter sustained injuries.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris stated that the helicopter was hovering just feet above a grass area when the Cessna approached from the rear. The plane veered right, striking the tail rotor before hitting the main rotor, causing the helicopter to roll and crash onto its side. Investigators report the helicopter crew had no ability to see the incoming aircraft.
Troopers Bryce Corman and Jason Mills remained briefly trapped inside the wreckage before managing to escape. They received care at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Both are in stable condition, with one trooper possibly cleared for discharge shortly after the incident. Governor Josh Shapiro commended the emergency responders for their rapid action in the aftermath of the crash.
Federal Aviation Administration officials arrived on the scene Wednesday night to begin their inquiry. The National Transportation Safety Board is also participating in the investigation. Because Carlisle Regional Airport lacks an air traffic control tower, officials will review communications on the common traffic radio frequency to understand the sequence of events leading to the collision.