Pilot Killed, 2 Troopers Injured in Pennsylvania Midair Collision
A pilot was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were injured Wednesday evening when a small plane collided midair with a state police helicopter during a training exercise at Carlisle Regional Airport.
The collision occurred around 6:52 p.m. at the airport in Cumberland County, roughly 120 miles west of Philadelphia. It involved a Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 airplane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot killed in the crash was later identified by the Cumberland County Coroner's Office as Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey. He was believed to be the only person aboard the Cessna. An autopsy is scheduled for the following week.
How the Collision Happened
Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens said the two-man helicopter crew was conducting a routine training exercise, hovering several feet off the ground in a grassy area adjacent to a runway, when the Cessna approached from behind and lined up with a nearby runway. Bivens said that for reasons still under investigation, the plane veered sharply to the right at the last moment and struck the helicopter from the rear.
Bivens described the impact as a "very violent crash," adding that the helicopter crew would not have been able to see the plane approaching them beforehand. Pennsylvania State Police said in a later statement that the collision occurred while the helicopter was on the ground, though the National Transportation Safety Board initially described the incident as a midair collision.
The Troopers Are Expected to Recover
The two troopers aboard the helicopter, both members of the state police's aviation unit, were identified by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Cpl. Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills. Shapiro said both were injured but are expected to recover, crediting the rapid response of police, emergency medical personnel and staff at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
"Tonight could have been much worse. Tonight could have been much more tragic for our state police family," Shapiro said during a news conference, adding that he had personally spoken with the troopers' families.
What Investigators Are Looking Into
The Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the scene Wednesday night, and the National Transportation Safety Board followed overnight to begin documenting the wreckage before moving it to a secure facility for further examination. State police said investigators have secured video and photographs that could help reconstruct how the collision occurred.
Officials noted that Carlisle Regional Airport does not have an air traffic control tower, meaning pilots instead rely on a shared radio frequency to communicate with one another. Investigators plan to review recordings from that frequency as part of their inquiry into what happened. Shapiro said he also contacted U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to request that the FAA expedite its response to the crash site.
A preliminary report on the crash was expected within a day of the collision, though a full determination of its cause will likely take longer as the investigation continues.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.