Carlisle Regional Airport crash kills pilot and injures two troopers
A fatal collision between a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near Carlisle Regional Airport left the pilot dead and two troopers hospitalized.
A fatal aviation accident unfolded on Wednesday evening near Carlisle Regional Airport in Pennsylvania, leaving the pilot of a small aircraft dead and two state law enforcement officers hospitalized. According to reporting from Yahoo News, the collision occurred shortly before 8 p.m. On Wednesday, prompting an active federal probe into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The event has been characterized as one of the region's most serious aviation accidents in recent years.
The incident involved a Cessna 150—a two-seat aircraft frequently utilized for pilot training—and a Bell 407 helicopter operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. At the time of the impact, the state police helicopter was hovering a few feet off the ground in a grassy area near the runway during a routine training exercise. As the Cessna approached along the runway, it abruptly veered hard to the right for reasons still under investigation, striking the rear of the helicopter from behind and impacting both the main and tail rotors.
Media additions
Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens described the mechanics of the collision to Jang.
"As that Cessna came down along that runway, for an unknown reason, it veered hard to the right. At the last moment, it struck the helicopter from the rear."
Lt. Col. George Bivens, Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner, via Jang
The force of the collision tore off the helicopter's tail boom and completely destroyed the Cessna, scattering debris across the area. Bivens further characterized the severity of the wreckage by noting the extreme force of the impact.
"When I say it was a very violent crash, that plane was cut into a lot of pieces."
Lt. Col. George Bivens, Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner, via Jang
The pilot of the small airplane, believed to be the sole occupant, died instantly at the scene. Authorities withheld the pilot's identity pending family notifications.
Inside the overturned helicopter, Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills found themselves trapped immediately following the impact. Quick action by Corman averted a worse outcome, as he managed to push out a window and assist Mills in escaping the wreckage amid immediate concerns of a potential post-crash fire. Both officers were transported to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center as trauma patients. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro later visited the injured troopers and their families at the hospital, confirming they sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening and are expected to recover.
Reflecting on the potential severity of the incident at the hospital, Governor Shapiro shared his perspective with reporters.
"Tonight could’ve been much worse. Tonight could’ve been much more tragic for our state police family."
Governor Josh Shapiro, via Jang
Investigation and Airport Operations
Federal authorities from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have taken charge of the inquiry. Investigators are sifting through physical evidence, witness accounts, photographic and video recordings, and radio communications. A key operational detail highlighted in the reporting is that Carlisle Regional Airport operates without an air traffic control tower, instead relying on pilots communicating via a shared common radio frequency. Investigators have not yet established whether communication issues, pilot actions, or other external variables caused the plane to veer off its path, and officials caution that the inquiry remains in its earliest stages.
Governor Shapiro also expressed immense relief that the tragedy was not more widespread, commending emergency responders, medical personnel, and fellow officers for their swift reaction to the chaotic scene.
What to Watch Next
- The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to assume the lead role in the ongoing probe.
- Investigators will continue analyzing cockpit and ground radio logs to reconstruct the final moments of the flight.
- Authorities plan to release the identity of the deceased Cessna pilot once family notifications are complete.
- Medical updates will determine the timeline for the discharge of the remaining hospitalized trooper from Hershey Medical Center.
