Two helicopters crashed in mid-air near Hammonton, New Jersey, on December 28, 2025. Both pilots died from the accident. No one else was on board.
What Happened
The crash took place around 11:25 a.m. local time. It was close to Hammonton Municipal Airport in Atlantic County. The town has about 15,000 people and sits about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia.
Witnesses saw the two helicopters flying very close together. One started spinning out of control and crashed. The other also went down. One helicopter caught fire after hitting the ground. Fire crews put out the flames quickly.
The Pilots and Helicopters
The pilots were:
- Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, from Carneyโs Point, New Jersey
- Michael Greenberg, 71, from another part of New Jersey
They were the only people in the aircraft. The helicopters were small Enstrom models: one F-28A and one 280C. These are light helicopters often used for training or fun flights.
Early reports say the pilots were flying in tandem โ close formation. This might have caused the collision.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the probe, with help from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They will check flight paths, radio talks, weather, and the helicopters’ condition.
Mid-air crashes are rare but dangerous, especially in areas without air traffic control towers. Pilots must watch out and talk to each other to stay safe.
This sad event reminds us of risks in small aircraft flying. Our thoughts are with the families of the pilots.