CARLISLE, Pennsylvania — One person was killed after a small airplane collided with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter at Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2026. The person who died was aboard the Cessna 150, while the two Pennsylvania State Police troopers aboard the Bell 407 helicopter survived and were reported in stable condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person who died, pending notification of next of kin.
What happened at Carlisle Airport?
The collision occurred at Carlisle Airport in South Middleton Township, near Carlisle, at about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to information attributed to the FAA. Early reports described the incident as a midair collision involving a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter.
Later details reported from the scene indicated that the State Police helicopter was operating at low altitude over a grassy area of the airport as part of a training exercise when the airplane veered from the runway and struck the helicopter.
The impact caused a violent crash. The helicopter overturned and sustained extensive damage, including damage to its rotor blades and tail boom, according to the Associated Press.
One person killed, two troopers survive
The pilot of the Cessna 150 was killed in the collision.
Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were aboard the Bell 407. Both survived the crash and were reported to be in stable condition after escaping the overturned helicopter.
Authorities had not immediately confirmed whether anyone else was aboard the Cessna. That detail remained under investigation as of Thursday.
The identity of the deceased person had also not been publicly released while authorities worked to notify relatives.
Pennsylvania State Police helicopter was on a training flight
The Bell 407 involved in the crash belonged to the Pennsylvania State Police.
The helicopter’s occupants were reportedly conducting a training exercise when the collision occurred. The State Police operates an aviation program as part of its law-enforcement and public-safety functions. The agency lists aviation among its specialized services.
The circumstances of the training flight, the Cessna’s approach and the exact sequence immediately before impact remain subjects of the investigation.
FAA and NTSB investigate crash
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident.
At this stage, investigators have not established a probable cause. Information about the aircraft’s flight paths, communications, weather, airport operations and the actions of both crews will be important to determining how the collision occurred.
The investigation is expected to examine wreckage, witness accounts and available aviation data. Investigators may also review airport surveillance or other recordings if available.
It is important not to assign blame while the federal investigation is still underway.
Where did the crash happen?
The crash happened at Carlisle Airport in South Middleton Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
The airport is in the Carlisle area, west of Harrisburg. The accident brought emergency crews and investigators to the airport Wednesday evening as officials secured the scene and began examining the wreckage.
What is known about the crash so far?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Carlisle Airport, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania |
| Date | August 19, 2026 |
| Aircraft | Cessna 150 airplane and Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| State Police occupants | 2 troopers |
| Condition of troopers | Stable |
| Investigation | FAA and NTSB |
| Cause | Not yet determined |
The early reporting about the incident changed as officials and investigators gathered more information. Initial reports said the number of fatalities and injuries had not been confirmed, while later reporting confirmed one death and the survival of the two troopers aboard the helicopter.
What happens next?
The FAA and NTSB will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collision. Investigators are expected to determine how the Cessna and helicopter came into the same area of the airport and whether any operational, mechanical, communication or environmental factors contributed to the accident.
The identity of the person killed is expected to be released after next-of-kin notification.
Officials may also provide additional information about the condition of the State Police troopers and the circumstances of the training flight as the investigation progresses.
Pennsylvania State Police maintains a public newsroom for official announcements and incident-related information.
This is a developing story. Details may change as authorities release additional information.
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