One person was killed and two Pennsylvania State Police officers were injured after a small plane and a police helicopter collided during a training exercise at Carlisle Airport in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, authorities said.

The collision involved a Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 aircraft. The incident occurred near the runway area while the helicopter crew was conducting a routine training flight.

Officials said the pilot of the Cessna 150, believed to have been the aircraft’s only occupant, was killed in the crash. The two Pennsylvania State Police aviation unit officers aboard the helicopter were injured but were expected to recover.

Investigation underway

According to preliminary information, the helicopter was conducting training operations near the runway when the small aircraft approached from behind and collided with the helicopter. Authorities said the exact circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation.

The impact caused severe damage to both aircraft. The helicopter and the small plane were damaged in the collision, while emergency teams responded to the scene and transported the injured officers to a hospital for treatment.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a joint investigation into the cause of the collision. Investigators are examining available evidence, including flight data and other information, to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.(ILKHA)