One killed and two state police pilots injured in Pennsylvania midair collision

A Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter collided at Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County on Wednesday evening, killing the airplane's pilot and injuring the two police pilots. The helicopter was conducting routine training and was hovering a few feet off the ground when the Cessna approached from behind and veered sharply to the right, striking the chopper from the rear, according to Acting State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens.

"As that Cessna came down along that runway, for an unknown reason, it veered hard to the right at the last moment," Bivens said.

Both helicopter pilots, members of the state police's elite aviation unit, were trapped after the aircraft rolled inverted and crashed onto its side. One pilot managed to open a window, allowing both to exit. They were taken to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where Dr. Ashley Ludwig said they sustained minor injuries and were stable.

The National Transportation Safety Board classified the event as a midair collision and will lead the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. Video and photographs from the scene are expected to aid the reconstruction. Governor Josh Shapiro expressed relief that the incident was not more severe.