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One dead in midair collision between Cessna 150 and Pennsylvania State Police helicopter

A Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter collided near Carlisle Regional Airport on August 19, 2026, killing the Cessna pilot and injuring two troopers.

2 reports on this incident · first at Sep 5, 2026, 9:52 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 19, 2026, 4:57 p.m. ETUpdated Sep 8, 2026, 5:52 a.m. ET
A Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 helicopter collided near Carlisle Regional Airport in , on August 19, 2026, according to multiple outlets. One person was killed and others were injured, as reported by 6abc.com, avweb.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, wishtv.com, and flyingmag.com. The state troopers aboard the helicopter survived, according to wral.com, avweb.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, fox5dc.com, ky3.com, and fox29.com. The Cessna pilot was the airplane's only occupant, authorities said. The collision occurred , with reports ranging from about 6:50 p.m. to , according to various outlets. The helicopter was conducting a hover taxi training maneuver and was hovering a few feet above a grass area when it was struck from behind by the Cessna, which was approaching for , according to reports. The helicopter lost its rotor blades and tail boom before coming down on its side; the Cessna broke into multiple pieces. Carlisle Airport has no control tower. The Cessna has been identified as , a Cessna 150H, according to aircraft registry records. The registered owner of record is Langeard Aviation Inc.; the owner of record is not necessarily the operator, the pilot, or otherwise connected to the flight. The aircraft involved in the accident has not been identified by authorities; registry records list nine aircraft under , including one Cessna 208 B, but this does not identify the accident aircraft. The NTSB is leading the investigation, with support from the FAA and , according to fox5dc.com. Investigators have not determined the cause. The wreckage will be moved to Clayton, Delaware for investigation, according to avweb.com, dailymail.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, fox5dc.com, simpleflying.com, flyingmag.com, and fox29.com.

Earlier reports

  1. Sep 5, 2026, 9:52 p.m. ETFirst report

    Cessna 150 and Pennsylvania State Police Helicopter Collide Near Carlisle

    A Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter collided near Carlisle Regional Airport on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at around 6:50 p.m., according to fox29.com and fox5dc.com. Two people survived the collision, the outlets reported. The helicopter was conducting a hover taxi training maneuver, and the Cessna pilot was a certified flight instructor, according to the reports. The helicopter was struck from behind by the Cessna, which hit the helicopter's tail rotor and main rotor, the outlets reported.

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration and Pennsylvania State Police, according to fox5dc.com. The NTSB arrived at Carlisle Airport early Thursday to begin investigating the collision, fox29.com reported. The cause of the collision has not been determined. The wreckage will be moved to Clayton, Delaware for investigation, according to the outlets.

    The aircraft involved has not been identified. Registry records list Pennsylvania State Police as operating nine aircraft, one of which is a Cessna 150; however, that record does not identify the aircraft involved in this incident.

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Reference data

From aircraft and geographic registries, not from the news sources. Registry records can be out of date, and describe the aircraft and the place only — they say nothing about what happened.

Registration
N23330
Type
Cessna 150H — single-engine piston landplane
Engines
CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES
Registered owner
Langeard Aviation IncThe owner of record is not necessarily the operator, the pilot, or otherwise connected to the flight.
Terrain elevation
479 ft
Nearest aerodrome
1.2 miles NW of Carlisle Airport (KN94)

Sources

Revision history

  1. Version 38 Sept 2026, 09:52current

    Updated to reflect the published status and incorporate the latest reporting on the investigation and wreckage removal.

  2. Version 26 Sept 2026, 02:53

    Added identification of the Cessna as N23330 with registered owner, added operator fleet context, and clarified that the aircraft involved has not been identified by authorities.

  3. Version 26 Sept 2026, 01:52current

    Updated to reflect that the NTSB is leading the investigation per fox5dc.com, while fox29.com reports the NTSB arrived Thursday; added detail on the collision sequence and wreckage move.

  4. Version 16 Sept 2026, 02:23

    First published.

  5. Version 13 Sept 2026, 08:08

    First published.

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