The pilot of a small airplane was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers have been injured after the airplane collided in midair with a state police helicopter close to the Carlisle airport in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley on Wednesday night, officers stated.
The Cessna 150 airplane crashed into the Bell 407 helicopter, which was conducting a coaching train, shortly earlier than 7 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police Appearing Commissioner Col. George Bivens informed reporters at a press briefing.
A trooper and a colonel, who have been contained in the helicopter, have been injured within the crash however are anticipated to be get well, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro informed reporters.
Authorities examine a crash between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small airplane on the Carlisle airport in Carlisle, Pa. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
Sean Simmers/The Patriot-Information by way of AP
Shapiro recognized them as Cpl. Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills.
“Tonight might have been a lot worse,” Shapiro stated throughout a information convention at Penn State Well being Milton S. Hershey Medical Middle.
Authorities consider the pilot of the Cessna was the airplane’s solely occupant, though they’re nonetheless investigating. Authorities didn’t determine the pilot pending notification of subsequent of kin.
Authorities examine a crash between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small airplane on the Carlisle airport in Carlisle, Pa. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
Sean Simmers/The Patriot-Information by way of AP
The reason for the crash stays underneath investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration arrived on the crash scene Wednesday evening, and the Nationwide Transportation Security Board was anticipated to reach in a single day.
Citing preliminary investigation, Bivens stated the helicopter was hovering a number of ft above a grassy space adjoining to the runway on the Carlisle airport for the coaching train when the Cessna approached the airport’s runway from behind. Bivens stated the airplane veered sharply to the fitting and struck the helicopter from the rear, leading to a “very violent crash.”
Authorities examine a crash between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small airplane on the Carlisle airport in Carlisle, Pa. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
Sean Simmers/The Patriot-Information by way of AP
The Cessna crashed a brief distance away and broke into a number of items, Bivens stated.
The helicopter misplaced its blades within the crash earlier than crashing into the bottom and rolling onto it facet, Bivens stated.
Each troopers have been initially trapped contained in the helicopter wreckage, however the corporal was capable of push out a window and assist the trooper escape, Bivens stated.
Dr. Ashley Ludwig, trauma medical director at Hershey Medical Middle, stated each troopers arrived as Stage 1 trauma sufferers however suffered solely minor accidents and have been in secure situation. One was anticipated to probably be discharged Wednesday evening, whereas the opposite was being admitted for statement.
The Carlisle airport is uncontrolled airport, that means there is no such thing as a air site visitors management tower or controllers on web site. Planes and helicopters coordinate their actions on a shared frequency that everybody can hear.
This can be a growing story. Please verify again for updates.
