CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — A pilot was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were injured Wednesday evening after a small airplane collided with a state police helicopter at Carlisle Airport.
The crash happened Wednesday, Aug. 19, and involved a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter.
Pennsylvania State Police identified the two troopers aboard the helicopter as Cpl. Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills. Both survived the crash and were taken for medical treatment. Officials said both troopers are expected to recover.
According to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, the helicopter crew had been conducting routine training exercises at the airport and was on the ground following the training when the collision occurred.
Authorities said the Cessna was coming down along the runway when, for reasons that remain under investigation, it veered sharply to the right and struck the state police helicopter from the rear.
The impact caused extensive damage to the helicopter, including the loss of its rotor blades and tail section. The helicopter rolled over during the crash.
Both troopers were initially trapped inside.
Authorities said Corman was able to push out a window and then help Mills, who suffered more significant injuries, escape through the opening.
One trooper was expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday night, while the other remained hospitalized for additional testing.
The pilot of the Cessna was killed in the crash. Authorities believe the pilot was the only person aboard the airplane. The pilot’s identity had not been publicly released as of Thursday morning.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro traveled to the area following the crash and said medical personnel at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center played an important role in treating the injured troopers.
The Federal Aviation Administration initially described the incident as a midair collision involving a Cessna 150 and Bell 407 near Carlisle Airport. State police officials later provided additional information about the sequence of events based on their preliminary investigation.
The exact circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined why the Cessna veered toward the helicopter.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
NTSB investigators are expected to document the wreckage before it is moved to a secure facility for a more detailed examination. Investigators will likely examine the aircraft, pilot information, communications and other evidence as they work to determine exactly what led to the collision.
A preliminary investigative report is also expected, although a final determination of the probable cause could take considerably longer.
The crash generated a major emergency response Wednesday evening, with fire, EMS, law enforcement and aviation resources responding to the airport. Initial emergency reports indicated the state police helicopter had come to rest on its side and that there was no active fire.
Despite the severity of the collision, both state troopers were able to survive.
The investigation remains active, and additional information is expected from federal investigators.
First Source News will continue to update this story as additional information is released.
