Helicopter vs Cessna Collision at Carlisle | Harrisburg News

0:00The NTSB dropped a report on a serious crash at Carlisle Airport. A helicopter carrying two Pennsylvania State police troopers, one of them an instructor, was landing our runway 28. While this was happening, a Cessna airplane, piloted by local Dr. Paul Sakalowski, was also trying to land on the same runway. The helicopter pilot told the airplane pilot to extend his downwind, which means flying parallel to the runway a bit longer before turning to land. The airplane pilot acknowledged this. The helicopter instructor saw the airplane on their system and in the traffic pattern. The doctor then asked if he should extend his downwind again and was told to do so, mentioning he was second in line to land. The report details that the helicopter moved off the runway onto a grassy field. The troopers said they didn't see the approaching plane because of the helicopter's position and the runway's orientation. The airplane continued its approach, then pitched up and started climbing before its right wing dropped, causing it to turn right directly into the helicopter.

1:02After the crash, investigators found no mechanical issues with either aircraft. The airplane broke into four main pieces and the helicopter lost its rotor blades and tail boom. The airplanes flaps were found in the retractive position. This incident tragically resulted in the death of Dr. Sakalowski and serious injuries to the two troopers. The NTSB report breaks down the sequence of events leading up to the collision, focusing on the communication and positioning of both aircraft during. Their landing approaches? That's your update from Harrisburg News Today, powered by AI.