Everything we know about deadly plane, Pennsylvania State Police helicopter crash | TIMELINE
CARLISLE, Pa. —
A Cessna 150 struck a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter during a training exercise at Carlisle Airport on Wednesday evening, killing the airplane’s pilot and injuring two state police aviation team members, officials said.
The Cumberland County Coroner’s Office identified the pilot as Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey. Authorities believe he was the only person aboard the Cessna.
Gov. Josh Shapiro identified the injured state police members as Cpl. Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills. Both are expected to recover.
Shapiro joined Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens and Dr. Ashley Ludwig, trauma medical director at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, for a news conference describing the collision.
Plane strikes helicopter from behind, officials say
A Harrisburg-based state police helicopter crew was conducting routine training at Carlisle Airport when the collision occurred at approximately 6:52 p.m., Bivens said.
The helicopter was hovering several feet above a grassy area next to a runway when the two-seat Cessna approached from behind. As the airplane descended along the runway, it veered sharply to the right for an unknown reason and struck the helicopter’s tail rotor before entering its main rotor, Bivens said.
“The pilots would not have been able to see the airplane approaching them,” Bivens said.
The impact resulted in what Bivens described as a “very violent crash.” The Cessna broke into multiple pieces after hitting the ground a short distance away. The helicopter lost its rotor blades and tail boom before rolling onto its side and partially onto its roof.
PSP members trapped in wrecked helicopter
Corman and Mills were initially trapped inside the helicopter, according to Bivens. Corman pushed out a window and helped Mills, who appeared to have more serious injuries and significant bleeding, escape through the opening. Corman then exited the aircraft.
Other people at the airport arrived shortly afterward and provided assistance. Officials were concerned that the wreckage could catch fire because of the force of the collision.
Conditions of injured PSP members
Corman and Mills were taken to Hershey Medical Center as Level 1 trauma patients.
Ludwig said both troopers sustained minor injuries and were in stable condition.
Corman has since been released from the hospital, while Trooper Mills remains hospitalized in stable condition.
“We’re very grateful that our colleagues with the Pennsylvania State Police are doing as well as they are,” Ludwig said.
Shapiro credited the coordinated response by state police, emergency medical personnel and hospital staff with improving the troopers’ outcomes.
“Tonight could have been much worse,” Shapiro said. “Tonight could have been much more tragic for our state police family.”
Pilot was a local doctor
The Cumberland County Coroner’s Office identified the airplane pilot who died as Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25.
According to the coroner’s office, Sokoloski was a doctor at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center.
Federal investigation continues
The NTSB and FAA will lead the investigation with assistance from Pennsylvania State Police, Bivens said.
Investigators will review photographs, videos and communications transmitted over the airport’s common traffic radio frequency. Carlisle Airport does not have an air traffic control tower.
Previous crashes at Carlisle Airport
The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated four crashes at Carlisle Airport since 2019. No injuries were reported in three of those crashes.
The most recent crash involving injuries occurred in October 2020. According to the NTSB, the pilot crashed while attempting to land in gusty wind conditions.
Below: Full timeline of the aircraft crash