A small airplane pilot died Wednesday after it collided midair with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near Carlisle airport in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley. The crash also injured two state troopers.
The Cessna 150, operated by Dr. Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey, Pennsylvania, struck the Bell 407 helicopter during a training exercise shortly before 7 p.m. Sokoloski was identified as the sole occupant of the plane and died in the collision.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stated that Cpl. Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills sustained injuries but are expected to recover. Shapiro said at a news conference: “Tonight could have been much worse.” The Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the scene Wednesday night, with the National Transportation Safety Board preparing to investigate.
Witnesses reported hearing routine helicopter maneuvers before a sudden crash five seconds later. The Cessna crashed and broke into multiple pieces, while the helicopter rolled inverted and landed on its side. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
