2nd trooper released from hospital; investigation continues into fatal Carlisle aircraft collision
CARLISLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Investigators are continuing to examine evidence from a deadly midair collision in Carlisle, Cumberland County.
The second Pennsylvania State Police trooper injured in the crash was released from the hospital on Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is reviewing additional videos showing the collision between a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 airplane. Investigators said video evidence will play a crucial role in determining what happened.
"This video circulating on social media is part of that investigation," said NTSB eastern region aviation accident investigator Aaron McCarter as investigators described the moments leading up to the collision.
SEE ALSO | Newly released video shows small plane crash into police helicopter at Carlisle Regional Airport
McCarter also addressed confusion about the helicopter's position at the time of the crash.
"The Cessna 150 was definitely in an unusual attitude when impact occurred," McCarter said.
The pilot of the Cessna, Dr. Paul Sokoloski, a doctor with Penn State Health, was killed.
Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills were transported to a hospital following the collision and are now home recovering.
According to the NTSB, video evidence shows the Cessna flying in an unusual manner before the collision.
"Video evidence we have shows it was flying at an unusual altitude in a steep nose pitched up, right wing low rocking back and forth. Then it temporarily leveled off and for reasons unknown, flew off the right side of the runway and impacted the helicopter," McCarter said.
Investigators said communication had been established between the aircraft, but they declined to discuss the content of those communications.
Officials also recovered data cards from both the helicopter and the Cessna on Friday. Investigators have not yet said what information the devices may contain.
John Gagliano, an aviation attorney and former Navy pilot, said the data could provide key information about the aircraft's movements.
"What that does is it will show the precise coordinates in three dimensions of what the aircraft was doing. They'll show their height above ground and potentially the power level of the engine," Gagliano said.
Based on his review of the video, Gagliano said the aircraft's actions before the collision raise questions.
"Only looking at the video, it appears if the aircraft had stayed on the runway and executed a normal landing, either to full stop or touch and go, the plane would not have impacted the helicopter," he said.
The NTSB said the Cessna had undergone some type of maintenance earlier that day. Investigators also said the helicopter was conducting a training mission and performing what is known as a "hover taxi" when the collision occurred.
Gagliano said questions remain about the helicopter's rotor position and visibility at the time of the crash.
"There are more questions because the body of the helicopter is one thing, but it's difficult to see the blades spinning of the main rotor. So how far they were sticking out, I don't know the diameter if they were over the runway," he said.
The wreckage has been moved to a facility in Delaware for further examination.
