The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal collision between a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, after the small plane struck the helicopter during operations near Carlisle Regional Airport. The aircraft went down on Wednesday, killing the Cessna pilot and injuring two troopers aboard the helicopter.
Investigators are examining wreckage, pilot actions, aircraft condition and environmental factors to determine why the Cessna veered into the helicopter. The helicopter was on a training exercise when the collision occurred, and officials have not yet established fault. NTSB investigator-in-charge Aaron McCarter is leading the probe, with a preliminary report expected later.
The accident has drawn attention to traffic separation and operating practices at non-towered airports, where general aviation aircraft and police or training flights can share the same airspace. One report identified the pilot as Dr. Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey, Pennsylvania, while another described him as a certified flight instructor. Officials expect the injured troopers to recover.