Fatal Midair Aircraft Collision at Carlisle Regional Airport

Published by AurixFinance News | Updated August 21, 2026

A fatal aircraft collision occurred at Carlisle Regional Airport in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2026. A small Cessna 150 aeroplane collided with a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter during a training operation near the runway.

The crash killed the aeroplane pilot and injured the two Pennsylvania State Police troopers who were aboard the helicopter. The injured troopers were identified as Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills. Both were transported to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre after the collision. Officials later said their injuries were not life-threatening. 1

The Cumberland County Coroner's Office identified the deceased aeroplane pilot as Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey. Later reporting identified him as an emergency department physician and experienced pilot. 2

Federal investigators are examining the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police. Officials have not announced a final cause for the Carlisle airport crash. 3

What Happened at Carlisle Regional Airport?

The Carlisle airport crash occurred Wednesday evening, August 19, at Carlisle Regional Airport in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration and Pennsylvania State Police, a Cessna 150 collided with a Bell 407 operated by the Pennsylvania State Police aviation unit.

The collision happened at approximately 6:52 p.m. local time. The helicopter was conducting routine training near a runway when the aeroplane struck it from behind. 5

The impact destroyed both aircraft. The Cessna came down a short distance from the helicopter and broke apart. The helicopter also crashed after the collision.

The aeroplane pilot died at the scene. The two troopers inside the helicopter survived but suffered injuries.

Emergency personnel transported both troopers to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre for treatment.

The crash site was secured, and investigators began examining the wreckage and the surrounding area.

The FAA arrived at the scene within about an hour, according to Pennsylvania State Police officials. The NTSB was also expected to take part in the investigation. 6

What Aircraft Were Involved?

The accident involved two types of aircraft: a Cessna 150 and a Bell 407.

The Cessna 150 is a small general-aviation aircraft commonly used for private flying and flight training. The Bell 407 is a four-bladed civilian helicopter design used by many operators for law enforcement, medical and utility missions.

In this case, the Pennsylvania State Police helicopter was being used for training rather than for an active emergency response.

How Did the Midair Collision Happen?

Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens provided an initial account of the collision.

The helicopter was hovering several feet above a grassy area next to a runway. The crew was conducting routine training.

The Cessna was travelling along the runway as it approached the area. Officials said the aeroplane suddenly veered sharply to the right.

The aeroplane then struck the helicopter from behind.

Bivens said the Cessna struck the helicopter's rear tail rotor, then the main rotor. The impact caused both aircraft to crash. 7

The precise reason for the aeroplane's sudden change in direction remains unknown.

That distinction matters. Officials have described what they observed or what witnesses and initial evidence indicate, but investigators have not issued a final probable-cause finding.

The FAA and NTSB will examine the aircraft, flight paths, radio communications, weather, pilot information, airport procedures and other available evidence.

Who Was the Aeroplane Pilot?

The deceased pilot was identified as Paul Sokoloski, a 57-year-old resident of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The Cumberland County Coroner's Office identified Sokoloski after the crash. Later reports said he was an emergency department physician and an experienced pilot. 8

Federal Aviation Administration records reported by local media indicated that Sokoloski had held a commercial pilot certificate since 2010 and had become a certified flight instructor earlier in 2026. 9

Authorities initially said they believed the Cessna had only one occupant. Investigators still needed to confirm the aircraft's occupancy.

Sokoloski died in the collision. His death is the only confirmed fatality from the aircraft collision.

The investigation will also examine the pilot's recent flight history, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions, airport communications and other evidence.

Which State Troopers Were Injured?

Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were aboard the Bell 407 helicopter.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro identified them as Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills.

Both were members of the Pennsylvania State Police aviation unit.

The helicopter was severely damaged in the collision. The two troopers were initially trapped inside the aircraft.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police account, Corman pushed out a window and helped Mills escape from the damaged helicopter. 10

Both troopers were taken to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre.

Hospital officials later described their injuries as minor and their conditions as stable. One trooper was expected to leave the hospital that night, while the other was admitted for observation. 11

The outcome means the phrase state troopers injured should not be confused with reports of fatalities among the helicopter crew. The two troopers survived the collision.

Why Was the Police Helicopter at the Airport?

The Pennsylvania State Police helicopter was at Carlisle Regional Airport for routine training.

The aviation unit operates helicopters for law-enforcement missions and related operational duties. Training allows pilots and crews to practice flight procedures without responding to an active incident.

The crew involved in this crash was based out of Harrisburg, according to Pennsylvania State Police officials.

The helicopter was hovering near a runway when the collision occurred.

Officials have not said that the helicopter was responding to a police emergency when the crash occurred.

That distinction is relevant because the aircraft was conducting a planned training activity at the time of the accident.

How Does Carlisle Regional Airport Handle Aircraft Traffic?

Carlisle Regional Airport is a general-aviation airport in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

The airport does not have an operating control tower. Pilots use a common traffic radio frequency to communicate their positions and intentions.

Pennsylvania State Police officials said there had been communication on the airport's common frequency before the collision. Investigators will review those communications as part of the accident investigation. 12

An airport without a control tower is not an uncontrolled environment in the sense that aircraft can ignore other traffic. Pilots remain responsible for maintaining awareness of other aircraft and following applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and airport procedures.

The absence of a tower also means there is no local air traffic controller issuing takeoff, landing or movement clearances at the field.

Investigators will determine how the aircraft were positioned, what each crew knew about the other aircraft and whether communication played a role.

Emergency Response After the Crash

The crash generated an immediate emergency response at the airport.

Emergency crews moved toward the wreckage and worked to remove the injured helicopter occupants.

The damaged helicopter created a difficult rescue environment because the two troopers were initially trapped inside.

One of the troopers was able to push out a window and help the other trooper escape.

Medical teams then transported both injured men to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The airport area was secured so investigators could document the wreckage and collect evidence.

The FAA arrived within roughly an hour, according to Pennsylvania State Police officials. NTSB investigators were also expected at the scene. 13

The response involved aviation authorities, state police, local emergency personnel and medical professionals.

Condition of the Injured Troopers

The two injured troopers were taken to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for treatment.

Hospital officials later said the injuries were minor and both men were stable.

One trooper was expected to be discharged on the evening of the crash. The other remained at the hospital for observation. 14

Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the troopers and their families at the hospital after the collision.

The governor later said the two troopers were expected to recover from their injuries.

The medical information available publicly remains limited to statements released by officials and hospital representatives.

FAA and NTSB Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

The NTSB generally examines aircraft accidents by collecting physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing pilot and aircraft records and analyzing flight data or other available evidence.

The FAA also has a regulatory role and can provide aircraft registration, pilot certification and operational information.

Pennsylvania State Police are assisting with the investigation and the scene.

Investigators will likely examine several areas:

• Aircraft maintenance records
• Pilot certificates and flight history
• Airport layout and runway operations
• Radio communications
• Weather conditions
• Aircraft wreckage
• Witness statements
• Flight paths
• Training procedures
• Possible mechanical problems

No final cause has been announced.

That means early descriptions should not be treated as a final accident finding.

Airport Radio Communications

Carlisle Regional Airport does not have a control tower. Aircraft operating at the airport use a common traffic radio frequency to announce their positions and intentions.

Pennsylvania State Police officials said there was communication on the common frequency before the collision.

Investigators will review the radio traffic to determine what information the pilots exchanged.

Radio communication alone does not guarantee that aircraft will avoid one another. Pilots also need visual awareness and must follow airport traffic procedures.

The investigation will determine whether the available communications provide information about the aircraft's positions before impact.

What Is Known About the Cause?

Officials have described the sequence of events but have not established a final cause.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, the Cessna was approaching along the runway when it suddenly veered to the right and struck the helicopter from behind.

The reason for that movement remains under investigation.

Investigators have not announced that pilot error, mechanical failure, communication failure or another specific factor caused the collision.

It would be premature to assign responsibility before the FAA and NTSB complete their work.

The final investigation may take considerable time because investigators must examine both aircraft, flight records, pilot information and other evidence.

Early reports are useful for understanding what happened immediately after the accident, but they can change as investigators obtain new information.

Aircraft Collision Safety Questions

The Carlisle collision has renewed attention to aircraft operations at airports where helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes share the same operating area.

General-aviation airports rely heavily on pilot awareness, radio communication and established traffic patterns.

Pilots must monitor the appropriate frequency and maintain a lookout for other aircraft.

Helicopter operations can differ from fixed-wing operations because helicopters can hover, move laterally and operate from areas outside conventional runways.

That difference requires pilots to understand where other aircraft are operating.

Training flights also require clear procedures. A helicopter crew conducting training must maintain awareness of other airport traffic while completing the planned exercise.

The Carlisle investigation will provide more information about how these factors interacted during the crash.

Carlisle Airport Crash Timeline