Two Helicopters Collide Midair Over Southern New Jersey, Killing Both Pilots

Two small Enstrom helicopters collided midair near Hammonton Municipal Airport in southern New Jersey at about 11:25 a.m. Sunday, causing the deaths of the pilots and prompting a large emergency response.

“ANI |Updated:Dec 29, 2025 07:00 IST New Jersey [US], December 29 (ANI): A midair collision between two helicopters in southern New Jersey on Sunday (local time) left one person dead and another injured, prompting a federal investigation into the cause of the crash, CNN reported”

ANI News

Early reports said one pilot was killed and the other critically injured, but later updates identified both pilots as deceased.

ANI News

Authorities confirmed the aircraft were an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C and said only the two pilots were aboard.

Local emergency teams and multiple agencies responded to the crash site, where video and witnesses showed at least one helicopter engulfed in flames before crews extinguished the blaze.

Eyewitness and on‑scene reports emphasized dramatic visuals, with social media and local footage showing at least one helicopter spiraling or spinning out of control.

Footage also showed thick black smoke and flames after impact.

Associated Press

Multiple outlets reported a loud snap or sudden change in the aircraft's motion before they fell into a farm field roughly 1.5 miles from the airport.

Firefighters extinguished fires and rescue teams extricated occupants.

Several local witnesses and a nearby cafe owner described the pilots as regular flyers who had taken off together shortly before the collision.

Federal agencies have opened a formal investigation into the incident.

“Officials say two helicopters crashed mid-air in southern New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and leaving another critically injured”

Associated Press

The NTSB has dispatched an investigator and will lead the probe, while the FAA also notified investigators and will cooperate.

Officials said they will examine flight data, maintenance records, air-traffic communications, pilot records, weather and witness statements.

A former FAA/NTSB investigator noted that most mid-air collisions involve a failure to 'see and avoid,' so investigators will pay particular attention to communications and out-of-cockpit sightlines.

Sources said the NTSB will document wreckage, move it to secure facilities, and issue a preliminary report within about 30 days.

A final probable cause determination could take up to two years.

Reporting diverged on the pilots' identities and local context: some outlets later named them and provided background on ownership and community ties, while earlier accounts withheld names pending confirmation.

Authorities and local records were cited in updates that identified the pilots as Kenneth Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71, and noted one helicopter's FAA registration and ownership records.

aviationtoday.in

Local business owners and residents described the men as regular flyers who often met near the airport, underscoring a community impact beyond the technical investigation.

Cross-reporting establishes the basic sequence: two Enstrom helicopters collided near Hammonton Municipal Airport around 11:25 a.m.

Only the two pilots were aboard.

CBS News

The NTSB has opened a formal investigation.

Several details, notably casualty counts, identification timing, and some human-interest elements, shifted as officials confirmed more information.

Some outlets added context others lacked, such as aircraft capacity and broader helicopter safety trends.

Hiru News (via Reuters) noted FAA data indicating a decline in deadly helicopter accident rates, a point not mentioned in many immediate scene reports.

Investigators continue to piece together the technical picture.

The NTSB's forthcoming findings will be the authoritative source.