MICHAEL GEORGE:
00:00:15
It happened in an instant. A security camera captured the moment a Cessna 150 flew right into a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, hovering just a few feet off the ground.
DISPATCHER:
00:00:25
The helicopters crashed in the grass off the runway. The airplane is obliterated in pieces.
MICHAEL GEORGE:
00:00:30
State police say the helicopter crew was conducting routine exercises at the Carlisle Airport when the plane, attempting to land, suddenly veered into the back of the helicopter. What caused the crash is still unclear. I have no information at all to tell me if either pilot of either vehicle was at fault. We are very early in the investigation to determine that.
MICHAEL GEORGE:
00:00:52
Across the street, Lloyd Slusser was mowing his mother-in-law's lawn. He jumped a fence and ran towards the wreckage, where he found the two injured troopers. As the officers got out of the plane, the pilot, when I saw-- he was helping the copilot out. The pilot was in a little bit worse shape. He kind of immediately went down.
MICHAEL GEORGE:
00:01:13
Both troopers were brought to a local hospital with minor injuries. One has been released. The pilot of the Cessna has been identified as Paul Sokolowski, an ER doctor. It was an example last night of how a community comes together in tragedy. Now, even though there was no air traffic control tower at that airport, both pilots were in touch with each other. The NTSB says its preliminary reports should be released within 30 days and its final report within 18 months. Tony? Michael, thanks.
