The crash, described as “very violent” by state police, occurred during a training exercise as the Cessna veered sharply and struck the helicopter’s rear, causing both aircraft to crash. Both troopers survived with minor injuries, while the pilot of the Cessna did not.
The collision happened around 6:52 p.m. at Carlisle Regional Airport, where a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter was hovering over a grassy area near a runway during routine training. A Cessna 150, flying behind the helicopter, suddenly veered right and struck the helicopter’s tail rotor, according to Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Col. George Bivens. The pilots would not have been able to even see that airplane approaching them,
Bivens said, describing the crash as “very violent.”
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The Cessna, which had one known occupant, crashed into multiple pieces, while the helicopter rolled inverted and landed on its side and partially on its roof. Both troopers, Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills, were initially trapped inside but managed to escape. Corman pushed out a window and helped Mills, who had more severe injuries, according to Bivens. The corporal was in a position to push out a window and assist the trooper, who he believed had some more serious injuries and had a lot of bleeding, was able to assist him out through that window,
Bivens said.
Dr. Ashley Ludwig, trauma medical director at Hershey Medical Center, confirmed both troopers arrived as Level 1 trauma patients but suffered only minor injuries. One was expected to be discharged Wednesday night, while the other remained hospitalized for observation. Tonight could have been much worse,
Gov. Josh Shapiro said during a news conference, praising the rapid response of emergency personnel and medical staff.
The pilot of the Cessna did not survive. Authorities have not yet identified the pilot, pending notification of next of kin. The one known occupant of the Cessna did not survive,
Bivens said. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, with investigators examining communications on the airport’s shared radio frequency, as Carlisle Regional Airport lacks an air traffic control tower.
Witness Accounts and First Responders
Lloyd Slusser, a witness near the airport, described hearing a “huge crash” while mowing his lawn. Probably five seconds after I turned my back, I heard a huge crash,
he said. Immediately grabbed the phone. My neighbor was out and she said she called 911.
Another witness, Jamie Luster, noted that aircraft activity is common at the airport but called the crash “unusual.”
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, with EMS crews loading a patient onto a Life Lion medical helicopter. A second Life Lion arrived around 7:30 p.m. to retrieve another victim.
Shapiro also met with the troopers’ families, expressing gratitude for their service. I expressed to them, on behalf of all 13 million Pennsylvanians, how thankful we are for their service every day and how our prayers were all answered that they are going to be okay,
he said.
Investigation and Aftermath
The FAA arrived at the scene within an hour, and the NTSB was expected overnight to lead the investigation. Bivens emphasized that investigators would review video and photographs from the crash site, as well as communications on the airport’s shared frequency. There was some communication on that frequency. We’ll have to, as part of the investigation, sort all of that out,
he said.
Carlisle Regional Airport has no air traffic control tower, a fact that may play a role in the investigation. Officials noted that pilots at the airport use a common traffic radio frequency to coordinate. The crash occurred amid routine training exercises, with the helicopter’s crew based in Harrisburg.
Tonight could have been much worse,
he reiterated, calling the response an example of Pennsylvania at its finest.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
