Bell 407GX crash near Carlisle, United States

A Pennsylvania State Police Bell 407GX on a training flight had landed at Carlisle Regional Airport and exited the runway, and was hovering about 50 feet north of it, when it was struck by a Cessna 150. A witness who heard the radio exchange said the helicopter crew had instructed the Cessna pilot to extend his downwind to create spacing, which he acknowledged; the crew also received a TCAS alert before sighting the aircraft. Airport security footage showed the Cessna crossing the runway threshold about 30 seconds after the helicopter. It never touched down, continuing along the runway before pitching up and climbing. At the apex of the climb, roughly one wingspan above the runway, its right wing dropped and it turned right and descended to the northwest, then levelled its wings, pitched up rapidly and struck the rear of the helicopter, hitting the tail rotor and main rotor blades. Around eight seconds elapsed between the helicopter leaving the runway surface and the collision; the crew could not see the Cessna because it was behind them. The Cessna broke into four pieces and the helicopter lost its rotor and tail blades. The Cessna pilot was killed and both troopers aboard the helicopter were injured and later released from hospital. Post-accident examination found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction in either aircraft. NTSB preliminary report ERA26FA309.