A pilot was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were injured when a small plane collided with a state police helicopter over Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. local time.
The collision involved a Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 helicopter, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot of the Cessna, believed to be the sole occupant, died at the scene. The two troopers aboard the helicopter, members of the state police’s aviation unit, sustained injuries and were transported to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens stated at a news conference that the helicopter was hovering several feet above a grassy area adjacent to a runway during a routine training exercise. The Cessna reportedly approached from behind, lined up with a runway, and then veered sharply to the right at the last moment, striking the helicopter from the rear. Bivens described the crash as violent, with the helicopter rolling inverted and crashing onto its side.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the collision, with assistance from the FAA and the Pennsylvania State Police. Officials indicated that the Cessna pilots would not have been able to see the plane approaching from behind.
Governor Josh Shapiro was briefed on the incident and expressed his relief that the injuries to the troopers were not more severe, stating that the situation could have been more tragic. He emphasized the community’s support for the state police in the wake of the accident.
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