Collision Course: The Intersection of Civilian and Law Enforcement Aviation The mid air collision between a Cessna 150 and a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter at Carlisle Airport has raised unsettling questions about the risks inherent in law enforcement aviation units operating in civilian airspace.
On the surface, this incident appears to be a tragic accident, but closer examination reveals a complex web of factors that warrant serious scrutiny.
The involvement of state police helicopters in training exercises near populated areas is not new, but their frequency and proximity to civilian aircraft operations have increased dramatically over the past decade.