Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, small plane collide midair near Carlisle Airport

PUBLISHED Aug 20, 2026, 12:40 AM ET

A midair collision between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small airplane near Carlisle Airport left one person dead and two troopers injured on Wednesday evening, authorities said. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that a Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 state police helicopter collided at approximately 7:50 p.m. local time in Cumberland County. Acting State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens stated that the helicopter was conducting a training exercise and hovering near the runway when the Cessna struck it from behind. The impact caused the aircraft to crash violently. The Cessna pilot died at the scene, while the two troopers aboard the chopper managed to escape through a broken window. Both injured officers were transported to a medical facility in stable condition. Federal aviation investigators and local emergency response teams are currently working together to thoroughly examine the wreckage and determine the exact cause of this tragedy.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 18
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 16

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasizes regulatory oversight gaps and demands rigorous federal aviation safety. Center: Focuses strictly on verified official statements from police and FAA. Right: Highlights government responder heroism while supporting thorough local police investigations.