Pennsylvania State Police helicopter violently collides with plane, pilot dead: FAA

CARLISLE, Pa. ( WHTM ) – An airplane and Pennsylvania State Police helicopter collided violently at the Carlisle Airport located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Wednesday evening, federal authorities confirmed to Nexstar’s WHTM.

Two people were aboard the PSP helicopter when it collided with a Cessna 150 around 6:50 p.m., a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said in a statement. The plane was descending onto the runway and veered into the helicopter, according Lt. Col. George Bivens, Pennsylvania’s acting state police commissioner.

The pilot of the plane was killed. Officials aren’t releasing their identity until family is informed.

“When I say it was a very violent crash, that plane was cut into a lot of pieces,” Bivens said Wednesday night.

Bivens explained that the Cessna, a two-seat aircraft, is typically used for training purposes. He also confirmed the pilot was performing a training exercise.

Both of the pilots in the helicopter were trapped until one pushed out a window and helped the other out through the window, said Bivens.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, who rushed to the incident, issued a statement, saying: “Tonight could’ve been much worse. Tonight could’ve been much more tragic for our state police family.”

The NTSB will lead an investigation along with the FAA, the agency confirmed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.