NTSB: Radio Contact Established Before Fatal Pennsylvania Midair Collision

Cessna pilot died and two state patrol helicopter occupants were injured in the crash near Carlisle Airport.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, September 08, 2026 at 10:03 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 was struck by Cessna 150 flying in the pattern at a nontowered airport west of Harrisburg. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB's preliminary report on the mid-air collision near Carlisle Airport indicates that the pilots of the Cessna 150 and the Bell 407 helicopter were in radio contact prior to the accident, with the helicopter pilot even instructing the Cessna to extend its downwind.
Despite this communication, the Cessna on low approach collided with the hover-taxiing helicopter, resulting in the death of the Cessna's sole occupant.
The two occupants of the helicopter sustained injuries but survived the crash, which was captured on multiple security cameras.
Preliminary investigation found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions in the Cessna, with wreckage and avionics from both aircraft retained for further examination.

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The pilots of the Cessna 150 and the state patrol Bell 407 helicopter that collided in flight near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, were in radio contact prior to the accident, according to the preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board. The accident occurred August 19 over Carlisle Airport (N94) west of Harrisburg.

According to the NTSB report released Thursday, a witness stated he heard the airport Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) communications between the helicopter flight crew and the airplane pilot. FlightAware shows the Cessna had come from Harrisburg and was flying laps in the pattern for Runway 28.