NTSB details seconds before fatal Cessna-helicopter collision in Pennsylvania

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the August 19 collision between a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter at Carlisle Airport in Pennsylvania. The Cessna pilot died. The helicopter's two occupants were seriously injured but have since been released from the hospital, according to local media.

The report describes the helicopter performing training exercises. It departed Harrisburg and crossed the runway threshold at Carlisle at 6:51 p.m. in clear weather with little wind. Rather than land normally, the helicopter transitioned to hover taxi, moving along the runway and then to the adjacent grass while staying one to three meters above the ground.

The Cessna was flying a traffic pattern at the airport at the same time. According to the NTSB, a witness heard a radio instruction for the Cessna pilot to extend the approach. The aircraft collided shortly after. The report also includes ADS-B flight track data showing both aircraft's paths during their approaches.

Carlisle Airport, which serves general aviation, has a paved runway 10/28 about 1,200 meters long.