What we know about deadly plane crash involving Pennsylvania State Police helicopter at Carlisle Regional Airport - 6abc Philadelphia
A midair collision between a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near Carlisle Regional Airport resulted in the death of the Cessna pilot. Two state troopers inside the helicopter sustained injuries but are expected to recover as the NTSB investigates the cause of the crash.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing aviation safety concerns and the risks associated with low-altitude training exercises near public airports.
CARLISLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- The pilot of a small airplane was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were injured after the plane collided in midair with a state police helicopter near the Carlisle airport in Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley on Wednesday evening, officials said.
The Cessna 150 airplane crashed into the Bell 407 helicopter, which was conducting a training exercise, shortly before 7 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Col. George Bivens told reporters at a press briefing on Wednesday.
The Cumberland County Coroner's Office on Thursday identified the pilot of the Cessna as Dr. Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was the sole occupant of the plane, state police said. Penn State Health said Sokoloski was a "valued member of our emergency medicine team."
The pilot was a certified flight instructor, National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge Aaron McCarter told reporters during a briefing on Thursday.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in