By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-20 01:45:57 | Updated at 2026-08-20 01:54:39
17 minutes ago
A Pennsylvania State Police chopper and a small plane collided midair on Wednesday evening, according to authorities.
The Cessna 150 airplane and Bell 407 helicopter — which photos showed had a state police emblem — crashed near the Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County around 7:50 p.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Two people were aboard the police chopper, but the number of passengers on the private plane remains unclear, the FAA said in a statement to The Post.
Officials have not yet confirmed any injuries or fatalities.
A coroner was called in, and Gov. Josh Shapiro was also headed to the crash site — as dozens of emergency response vehicles swarmed the scene, Penn Live reported.
“I’ve been briefed on the aircraft crash involving PA State Police this evening in Carlisle and I am heading there now,” Shapiro wrote in a statement posted to social media.
“Lori and I are praying hard and we ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to join us.”
Photos obtained by the outlet captured authorities examining the wreckage — the helicopter toppled on its side, with crash debris littering the grass alongside the runway.
Neighbors Patrick Brown and Lloyd Slusser told the outlet they leaped over a fence and ran into the field to help — witnessing two troopers in the helicopter and one person in the plane.
The State police helicopter was flying low and doing maneuvers leading up to the crash, a common occurrence at the airport, the neighbors said.
The Pennsylvania State Police did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
