A quiet Sunday morning in southern New Jersey turned tragic when two helicopters collided midair near the Hammonton Municipal Airport, killing one pilot and leaving another hospitalized with life‑threatening injuries. Federal investigators from the FAA and NTSB are now working to determine what caused the rare and devastating crash.
🚁 Two Helicopters Collide Moments After Takeoff
The collision occurred just after 11 a.m. near Basin Road in Hammonton, a town roughly 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft involved were an Enstrom F‑28A and an Enstrom 280C, each carrying only the pilot.
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopters flying unusually close together before the impact. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel confirmed that early accounts suggested the aircraft were “flying in tandem” shortly before they clipped one another midair.
📱 Terrifying Video Shows Helicopter Spiraling to the Ground
Cell phone footage circulating online shows one of the helicopters spinning rapidly as it plummets toward the ground, followed moments later by smoke rising from the crash site. One of the aircraft became fully engulfed in flames, requiring firefighters to extinguish the blaze upon arrival.
Local café owner Sal Silipino, who knew both pilots, said the men had just eaten breakfast at his restaurant before taking off. He watched the helicopters lift into the air—something they had done together many times—before realizing they had collided.
“I shouted to my wife, ‘I think those two guys just crashed,’” Silipino told reporters, still shaken by the scene.
⚠️ One Pilot Killed, Another Fighting for His Life
Authorities confirmed that one pilot died at the scene. The second pilot was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition with life‑threatening injuries. Their identities have not yet been released. No passengers were aboard either helicopter.
🌤️ Weather Was Clear — So What Went Wrong?
While conditions were mostly cloudy, visibility was good and winds were light at the time of the crash, according to AccuWeather data cited in multiple reports. Investigators will now examine:
• Flight paths
• Pilot communication
• Air traffic control records
• Weather and lighting conditions
• Maintenance logs
• Witness statements
• Any available video or surveillance footage
Former aviation investigators told the Associated Press that midair collisions often stem from a breakdown in the basic “see‑and‑avoid” principle, something the NTSB will scrutinize closely.
🛩️ A Rare but Devastating Type of Accident
Midair helicopter collisions are uncommon, but when they occur, they often happen close to airports during takeoff or landing—exactly the scenario in Hammonton. Both helicopters had taken off shortly before the crash, and one had completed a short earlier flight that same morning.
🔍 NTSB Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation and will transport the wreckage to a secure facility for further analysis once the crash site is fully documented. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though a final determination of probable cause may take up to two years.
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said state emergency officials are assisting local authorities as the investigation continues.