The pilot of a small plane died and two Pennsylvania state troopers were injured after the aircraft collided midair with a police helicopter Wednesday evening, according to authorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Cessna 150 two-seat airplane and Bell 407 helicopter \u2014 which photos showed had a state police emblem \u2014 crashed near the Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County around 7:50 p.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.<\/p>\n
The airplane pilot killed is believed to be the only individual onboard the Cessna jet, which was \u201ccut into a lot of pieces\u201d from the crash, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said at a late-night press conference.<\/p>\n
The Cessna 150 airplane and Bell 407 helicopter \u2014 which photos showed had a state police emblem \u2014 crashed near the Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County, the FAA said. Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.com<\/p>\n
The identity of the Cessna pilot has not been released, pending family notification.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two Pennsylvania State Police elite aviation unit pilots, identified as Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills, were injured in the collision but are expected to recover, Gov. Josh Shapiro said outside the hospital where they are being treated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the troopers is expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday night while the other will be admitted for further treatment, according to Dr. Ludwig of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.<\/p>\n
Authorities at the site of the wreck in Cumberland County. Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.com<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania State Police pilots were conducting routine training exercises, hovering above a grassy area adjacent to a runway shortly before 7 p.m. when the Cessna jet began to approach the runway for an unknown reason, Bivens said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The airplane then veered hard to the right at the last moment and collided with the rear of the helicopter, the state police official said.<\/p>\n
The airplane hit the rear tail rotor into the main rotor of the chopper, \u201cresulting in a very violent crash,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pilots would not have been able to even see that airplane approaching them,\u201d Bivens added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A coroner was called in, and Gov. Josh Shapiro was also headed to the crash site. Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.com<\/p>\n
The airplane crashed \u201ca short distance in many pieces,\u201d and the helicopter crashed on its side and partially rolled onto its roof.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both chopper pilots were initially trapped but Corman managed to push out a window and assist Mills \u2014 who is believed to have sustained more severe injuries \u2014 out of the wreckage.<\/p>\n
Shapiro praised the efforts of medical staff at Hershey Medical Center and the Pennsylvania State Police and said the events \u201ccould have been much more tragic for our state police family.\u201d<\/p>\n
The State Police helicopter was flying low and doing maneuvers leading up to the crash, a common occurrence at the airport, neighbors said. Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.com<\/p>\n