The pilot of a small airplane died and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers sustained injuries following a midair collision between a Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 helicopter near the Carlisle airport in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2026, according to officials.
The Bottom Line
- The Incident: A Cessna 150 collided midair with a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter conducting a training exercise just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
- Casualties: The unidentified pilot of the small plane was killed, while Cpl. Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills suffered injuries.
- Investigation: The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board launched investigations into the crash at Carlisle Airport.
Chronology and Mechanics of the Carlisle Airport Crash
The collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m. near the Carlisle airport, an uncontrolled facility lacking an air traffic control tower or controllers on site. According to Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Col. George Bivens, the police helicopter was hovering several feet above a grassy area adjacent to the runway as part of a training exercise. Meanwhile, the Cessna 150 approached the runway from behind, veered sharply to the right, and struck the rear of the Bell 407.
The impact resulted in what officials described as a “very violent crash.” The helicopter lost its blades, plummeted to the ground, and rolled onto its side. The Cessna broke into multiple pieces, coming down a short distance away. Authorities believe the pilot was the sole occupant of the airplane, though the identity remains withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
Both troopers were initially trapped inside the helicopter wreckage. Cpl. Bryce Corman managed to push out a window and help Trooper Jason Mills escape.
| Aircraft | Type | Occupants | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 150 | Small Fixed-Wing Airplane | 1 (Pilot) | Destroyed / Pilot Fatality |
| Bell 407 | State Police Helicopter | 2 Troopers (Corman, Mills) | Severe Damage / Injuries |
Injuries, Medical Response, and Official Assessments
Following the extraction, both troopers were transported as Level 1 trauma patients to the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Ashley Ludwig, trauma medical director at the facility, confirmed that Corman and Mills sustained only minor injuries and remained in stable condition following the evening crash.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed reporters at the medical center. “Tonight could have been much worse,” Gov. Shapiro stated during a news conference.
At uncontrolled airports, planes and helicopters coordinate their movements on a shared frequency that everyone can hear.
Federal Investigations and Regulatory Scrutiny
The Federal Aviation Administration arrived at Carlisle Airport on Wednesday night, while representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board were scheduled to arrive overnight.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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