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Midair Collision Near Carlisle Airport Claims Pilot, Injures Two State Troopers
A midair collision over Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday night resulted in the death of a small‑plane pilot and injuries to two Pennsylvania State Police troopers. The crash involved a Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 helicopter operated by the state police.
The impact occurred at about 7:00 p.m. local time. First responders arrived to find the Bell 407 on its side, its rotor blades and tail boom missing, and the Cessna shattered into multiple pieces. The helicopter was hovering just a few feet above a grassy area adjacent to a runway when the Cessna, lined up to land, veered right at the last moment and struck the helicopter’s rear.
Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Colonel George Bivens said the helicopter crew was conducting routine training exercises from the Harrisburg base. He described the impact as “very violent” and noted that the helicopter’s pilots were trapped inside until one of the troopers, Corporal Bryce Corman, forced a window open and helped Trooper Jason Mills exit. Both troopers were transported to Hershey Medical Center as Level 1 trauma patients; one was expected to be discharged that night while the other was admitted for observation.
The pilot of the Cessna, the sole occupant, did not survive. Authorities have not yet released the pilot’s identity, pending notification of next of kin.
Officials confirmed that Carlisle Airport does not have an air‑traffic control tower. Pilots share a common radio frequency to communicate with each other. Investigators have secured video and photographs from the scene and will review communications on that frequency as part of the inquiry.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. The FAA arrived at the scene Wednesday night, and the NTSB followed overnight. Governor Josh Shapiro said he had contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to request an expedited FAA response.
The collision has prompted a review of training protocols for state police aviation units and of airspace management at small airports lacking tower facilities. The FAA has indicated it will examine whether the helicopter’s altitude and the Cessna’s flight path contributed to the accident.
The incident underscores the risks inherent in operating aircraft in congested airspace and the importance of clear communication between pilots. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities are gathering evidence to determine whether procedural or technical factors played a role.
As of the latest reports, the investigation is ongoing. The FAA and NTSB have not released a preliminary cause. The state police have not announced any changes to training schedules, and the Carlisle Airport remains open for general aviation traffic. The families of the deceased pilot and the injured troopers have been notified and are awaiting further updates.
The incident has drawn attention to the safety protocols for state police aviation operations and to the need for robust communication systems at small public airports. The outcome of the investigation will likely influence future regulations and training practices for both state police and general aviation pilots.
For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the troopers and the completion of the investigative process. The FAA and NTSB will release additional findings once the analysis of flight data, communications, and physical evidence is complete.
The impact occurred at about 7:00 p.m. local time. First responders arrived to find the Bell 407 on its side, its rotor blades and tail boom missing, and the Cessna shattered into multiple pieces. The helicopter was hovering just a few feet above a grassy area adjacent to a runway when the Cessna, lined up to land, veered right at the last moment and struck the helicopter’s rear.
Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Colonel George Bivens said the helicopter crew was conducting routine training exercises from the Harrisburg base. He described the impact as “very violent” and noted that the helicopter’s pilots were trapped inside until one of the troopers, Corporal Bryce Corman, forced a window open and helped Trooper Jason Mills exit. Both troopers were transported to Hershey Medical Center as Level 1 trauma patients; one was expected to be discharged that night while the other was admitted for observation.
The pilot of the Cessna, the sole occupant, did not survive. Authorities have not yet released the pilot’s identity, pending notification of next of kin.
Officials confirmed that Carlisle Airport does not have an air‑traffic control tower. Pilots share a common radio frequency to communicate with each other. Investigators have secured video and photographs from the scene and will review communications on that frequency as part of the inquiry.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. The FAA arrived at the scene Wednesday night, and the NTSB followed overnight. Governor Josh Shapiro said he had contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to request an expedited FAA response.
The collision has prompted a review of training protocols for state police aviation units and of airspace management at small airports lacking tower facilities. The FAA has indicated it will examine whether the helicopter’s altitude and the Cessna’s flight path contributed to the accident.
The incident underscores the risks inherent in operating aircraft in congested airspace and the importance of clear communication between pilots. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities are gathering evidence to determine whether procedural or technical factors played a role.
As of the latest reports, the investigation is ongoing. The FAA and NTSB have not released a preliminary cause. The state police have not announced any changes to training schedules, and the Carlisle Airport remains open for general aviation traffic. The families of the deceased pilot and the injured troopers have been notified and are awaiting further updates.
The incident has drawn attention to the safety protocols for state police aviation operations and to the need for robust communication systems at small public airports. The outcome of the investigation will likely influence future regulations and training practices for both state police and general aviation pilots.
For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the troopers and the completion of the investigative process. The FAA and NTSB will release additional findings once the analysis of flight data, communications, and physical evidence is complete.
