Pilot Killed As State Police Helicopter And Small Plane Collide Near Carlisle, Pa.
A small two-seat Cessna 150 attempting to land at Carlisle Airport struck a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, killing the plane's pilot.[1]
The helicopter was hovering while two troopers were conducting routine training exercises that had begun around 6:30 p.m., state police said.[1] The crash rolled the helicopter onto its side and roof and briefly trapped Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills inside.[1] Corman opened a window and helped Mills escape; both were taken to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with minor injuries and listed in stable condition.[1] Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens called the Cessna's destruction "a very violent crash" that left the small plane cut into pieces.[1]
Officials said the Cessna veered sharply right on approach and struck the hovering helicopter from behind, damaging the helicopter's main rotor.[1] Investigators said the pilot was believed to be the only occupant of the Cessna, and they were still confirming whether anyone else had been on board.[1] The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration both announced they will investigate the midair collision.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as a two-seat Cessna 150 attempted to land at Carlisle Airport in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
- Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens said the Cessna veered sharply right on approach and struck the hovering Bell 407 helicopter from behind, damaging the helicopter's main rotor.
- The impact caused the helicopter to roll and crash onto its side and roof, trapping Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills, who were conducting routine training exercises that began around 6:30 p.m.
- Corporal Bryce Corman opened a window and helped Trooper Jason Mills escape the downed helicopter; both troopers were transported to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with minor injuries and were listed in stable condition.
- The Cessna pilot, believed to be the sole occupant, was killed in what Bivens described as a “very violent crash” that left the small plane cut into pieces; investigators were still confirming there were no additional occupants.
- The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration both announced they will investigate the midair collision.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- The collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as a two-seat Cessna 150 attempted to land at Carlisle Airport in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
- Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens said the Cessna veered sharply right on approach and struck the hovering Bell 407 helicopter from behind, damaging the helicopter's main rotor.
- The impact caused the helicopter to roll and crash onto its side and roof, trapping Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills, who were conducting routine training exercises that began around 6:30 p.m.
- Corporal Bryce Corman opened a window and helped Trooper Jason Mills escape the downed helicopter, and both troopers were transported to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with minor injuries and were listed in stable condition.
- The Cessna pilot, believed to be the sole occupant, was killed in what Bivens described as a "very violent crash" that left the small plane cut into pieces; investigators are still confirming that there were no additional occupants.
- The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration both announced they will investigate the midair collision.