Discretion advised: This story involves a fatal aircraft collision.
A pilot was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were injured Wednesday evening, August 19, after a small plane collided midair with a state police helicopter during a training exercise at Carlisle Regional Airport in Cumberland County, roughly 20 miles west of Harrisburg.
How the Collision Happened
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 airplane collided at approximately 6:52 p.m. State Police Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens said the two-man helicopter crew was conducting a routine training exercise, hovering the aircraft "several feet off the ground" on a grassy area adjacent to the runway, when the Cessna came down the runway and unexpectedly veered to the right, striking the helicopter from behind. "The pilots would not have been able to even see that airplane approaching them," Bivens said, describing the resulting collision as "a very violent crash."
The Aftermath
The helicopter lost its blades and tail boom before rolling over and crashing onto its side, partially landing on its roof. The Cessna crashed a short distance away and was torn apart into multiple pieces. The plane's sole occupant, the pilot, was declared dead at the scene; authorities had not immediately identified him, pending notification of next of kin.
The Injured Troopers
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro identified the two injured troopers as members of the State Police aviation unit: Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills. Both were listed in stable condition at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and are expected to recover. "Tonight could have been much worse," Shapiro said during a late-night news conference at the hospital.
Governor's Response
Shapiro said he was briefed on the crash shortly after it occurred and traveled to the scene. "Lori and I are praying hard and we ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to join us," he wrote in an earlier social media post as details of the crash were still emerging.
The Investigation
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are jointly investigating the collision, which they've classified as a midair collision. Both agencies plan to document the wreckage before moving it to a secure facility for further examination, with a preliminary report expected within the next day. The county coroner was called to the scene, and photos shared by local outlets and viewers showed the helicopter's wreckage marked with the state police emblem lying on its side near the runway.
What's Next
Investigators will work to determine why the Cessna veered off the runway and into the path of the hovering helicopter, with a preliminary NTSB report expected in the coming days. Formal identification of the deceased pilot is pending notification of his family. For continuing coverage, see The Philadelphia Inquirer's report.