A midair collision between two helicopters in southern New Jersey has left one person dead and another critically injured, authorities said on Sunday. The crash occurred late Sunday morning near Hammonton Municipal Airport, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the two helicopters—an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C—collided in the air at approximately 11:25 a.m. before crashing to the ground. Each helicopter was carrying only its pilot at the time of the accident, and no passengers were on board.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene near Basin Road and North White Horse Pike, where one pilot was pronounced dead. The second pilot sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to a nearby trauma center for treatment. Officials said one of the helicopters caught fire after impact, and firefighters worked quickly to contain the flames while police secured the area. Witnesses described seeing debris fall from the sky moments after the collision, followed by smoke rising from the crash site, shocking nearby residents in the quiet community.
Local officials confirmed that the pilots were known in the area and were frequent flyers at the airport, deepening the sense of loss felt by the community. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area as investigators began examining the wreckage. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the collision, focusing on flight paths, communication records, and aircraft performance. Officials said weather conditions at the time were not believed to be a major factor, though the investigation remains ongoing. Further details are expected to be released as investigators continue their work.
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