Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Pilot Killed in Collision With Pennsylvania Police Helicopter
A small airplane and a police helicopter crashed near a runway in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
The pilot of the airplane died.
Two police pilots were inside the helicopter, and both survived.
They were reported to be stable after the crash.
One pilot pushed out a window and helped the other get out.
The airplane broke into many pieces, and the helicopter lost its blades and tail boom.
Officials said the airplane suddenly turned to the right for a reason they do not yet know.
The airport has no control tower but uses a shared radio frequency.
Investigators will study what happened, including the radio messages and how many people were on the airplane.
A Cessna 150 collided with a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter near a runway at Carlisle Regional Airport on Wednesday.
The small-plane pilot was killed, while both helicopter pilots survived and were reported stable.
One helicopter pilot pushed out a window and helped the other escape from the damaged aircraft.
Officials said the Cessna veered sharply right for an unknown reason; the FAA and NTSB described the incident as a midair collision, while state police did not clarify whether the plane was airborne.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating radio communications, the aircraft’s occupants and the cause of the crash.
- Who
- The pilot of the Cessna 150 was killed; two Pennsylvania State Police helicopter pilots survived and were stable.
- What
- A Cessna 150 collided with a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter near a runway.
- When
- Wednesday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Carlisle Regional Airport in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, about 170 kilometers northwest of Philadelphia.
- Why
- The cause is unknown; officials said the Cessna veered sharply to the right before striking the helicopter.
- Aircraft involved
- A Cessna 150 airplane and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter.
- Fatality
- The pilot of the small plane was killed.
- Helicopter occupants
- Two Pennsylvania State Police pilots were aboard; both survived and were reported stable.
- Crash location
- Carlisle Regional Airport in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
- Airport operations
- The airport does not have a control tower and uses a common traffic radio frequency.
- Police activity
- The helicopter pilots were conducting a training exercise.
- Investigation
- The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
