On Wednesday evening, a tragic midair mishap unfolded when a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter collided with a smaller aircraft, leading to the plane pilot’s death and inflicting injuries on two state troopers, authorities report.
The Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the incident, which happened near Carlisle Airport, involved a Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 aircraft. The collision occurred at approximately 7:50 p.m. in central Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, shared that during a routine training mission near Carlisle Airport, the police helicopter became entangled in the fatal collision, located roughly 120 miles west of Philadelphia.
At around 7:50 p.m., the tragic collision between a Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 airplane was reported in central Pennsylvania. (WPMT)
Bivens explained in a news briefing that the Cessna, unexpectedly and for reasons not yet clear, veered right at the last moment, impacting the helicopter’s rear. The force damaged both the tail and main rotors, leading to a catastrophic crash.
The circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation, and federal investigators have not determined a probable cause.
The one-person inside the plane died in the incident, Bivens said.
“The one known occupant of the Cessna did not survive the crash. We believe only the pilot was in the Cessna,” he said.
The one person inside the plane died in the incident. (WPMT)
Both state troopers inside the helicopter were initially trapped before being able to get out. They were injured and transported to a hospital but are expected to recover, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“I’m pleased to say that after an aviation accident, two Pennsylvania State Troopers, while injured, are going to be okay,” he said at the news briefing.
The two state troopers were injured and transported to a hospital but are expected to recover. (WPMT)
“Lori and I are praying hard and we ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to join us,” the governor wrote earlier on social media.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with the FAA assisting.