Pilot killed, 2 police troopers injured in midair crash at Pennsylvania Airport

CARLISLE, Pa. -- A pilot was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were injured Wednesday evening when a small plane collided with a state police helicopter during a training exercise at Carlisle Regional Airport, officials said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills, members of the Pennsylvania State Police aviation unit, suffered injuries but are expected to recover.

"Tonight could have been much worse," Shapiro said during a news conference.

Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Col. George Bivens said the helicopter crew was conducting routine training exercises at the airport when the collision occurred.

At about 6:50 p.m., the helicopter was hovering several feet above a grassy area adjacent to a runway when a Cessna 150 approached from behind. Investigators said the plane veered sharply to the right at the last moment and struck the helicopter's rear tail rotor before entering its main rotor.

"The pilots would not have been able to even see that airplane approaching them," Bivens said, describing the resulting crash as "very violent."

The Cessna crashed a short distance away and broke into multiple pieces. Its sole known occupant was killed. Authorities did not immediately identify the pilot, pending notification of next of kin.

The helicopter lost its blades and tail boom before rolling over and crashing onto its side and partially onto its roof. Both troopers were initially trapped inside.

Corman was able to push out a window and help Mills, who appeared to have more serious injuries and significant bleeding, escape from the wreckage, according to state police. Both men got out amid concerns the damaged aircraft could catch fire.

Dr. Ashley Ludwig, trauma medical director at Hershey Medical Center, said both troopers arrived as Level 1 trauma patients but suffered only minor injuries and were in stable condition. One was expected to possibly be discharged Wednesday night, while the other was being admitted for observation.

Shapiro praised the rapid response by police, emergency medical personnel and hospital staff, calling the response "an example of Pennsylvania at its finest."

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. State police said investigators have secured video and photographs that could help reconstruct the collision.

Officials said Carlisle Regional Airport does not have an air traffic control tower, but pilots use a common traffic radio frequency. Investigators will examine communications on that frequency as part of their inquiry.

Shapiro said he contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to request that the FAA expedite its response to the scene.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation.