A midair collision between a small plane and a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter during training exercises Wednesday evening claimed the life of a 57-year-old pilot and injured two state troopers in what officials described as a violent crash at Carlisle Regional Airport.

Collision During Routine Training

Paul Sokoloski of Hershey died when his Cessna 150 struck a state police helicopter around 7 p.m. at the Cumberland County airport, southwest of Harrisburg. The Cumberland County Coroner’s Office confirmed his identity Thursday, with an autopsy scheduled for next week. Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators arrived at the scene Thursday to determine what caused the deadly encounter.

The state police helicopter crew from Harrisburg was conducting standard training exercises when the crash occurred. Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Col. George Bivens explained that at 6:52 p.m., the helicopter hovered several feet above a grassy area adjacent to a runway. Sokoloski’s Cessna, lined up to land on the runway, suddenly veered right and struck the helicopter’s rear section. The impact severed the helicopter’s blades and tail boom, sending it rolling inverted onto its side and partially onto its roof.

Dramatic Rescue Amid Fire Concerns

Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills became trapped inside the damaged helicopter. Bivens reported that Corman pushed out a window and helped Mills escape as both men feared the wreckage could ignite. Lloyd Slusser, a nearby resident mowing his lawn, witnessed the helicopter’s training maneuvers moments before hearing a massive crash. The Cessna broke into multiple pieces upon impact, and Sokoloski, the plane’s sole occupant, did not survive.

Both troopers arrived at Hershey Medical Center as Level 1 trauma patients but sustained only minor injuries. Dr. Ashley Ludwig, trauma medical director, confirmed both men were in stable condition. One trooper faced possible discharge Wednesday night, while doctors admitted the other for observation. Governor Josh Shapiro visited the hospital to meet with the troopers’ families, expressing gratitude on behalf of Pennsylvania’s 13 million residents that the outcome was not worse.

Investigation Underway

Bivens noted the helicopter pilots could not have seen the approaching aircraft, emphasizing the violent nature of the collision. Federal investigators continue examining the crash site to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the midair encounter. The incident highlights the dangers aviation professionals face, even during routine operations at regional airports. The investigation will likely focus on communication protocols, visibility conditions, and the Cessna’s last-second course change that brought it into the helicopter’s path.