NTSB Preliminary Report Details Midair Collision at Carlisle Airport

The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report detailing the final moments before a midair collision at Carlisle Airport in Pennsylvania that killed a pilot and seriously injured two state troopers. The crash occurred on August 19, 2026, just before 7 p.m., when a Cessna 150 private plane struck a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter that was hovering near the runway. The helicopter crew was conducting a training flight and had just completed a straight-in approach to Runway 28. After crossing the threshold, the helicopter descended into a hover taxi, traveled about 1,800 feet down the runway, and moved north over a grass field. The Cessna, piloted by 57-year-old Dr. Paul Sokoloski of Hershey, had entered the traffic pattern for the same runway. According to the report, the helicopter crew became aware of the approaching Cessna and instructed Sokoloski over the radio to "extend his downwind," a maneuver to create additional spacing between the aircraft. Sokoloski acknowledged the instruction and later advised he was number two to land.