Tragic Midair Helicopter Collision Claims Lives of Two New Jersey Pilots

Mon Dec 29 2025 21:26:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Two pilots have lost their lives after their helicopters collided in midair near Hammonton, New Jersey. The incident, which took place on Sunday, highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported a tragic midair collision between two helicopters in Hammonton, New Jersey, resulting in the deaths of Kenneth Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71. The two pilots were well-known in their community, often seen together at a nearby café. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating, focusing on possible communication failures and visual contact prior to the incident. Eyewitness accounts describe the harrowing moments leading up to the collision, indicating a possible failure to 'see and avoid.'

Authorities on Monday identified two pilots who died after their helicopters collided midair in southern New Jersey.

Kenneth Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71, were friends who both lived in New Jersey and often had breakfast together at a café near the crash site in Hammonton, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Philadelphia.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel confirmed that Kirsch was pronounced dead at an area hospital, while Greenberg tragically died at the crash site.

“Statements from witnesses indicated that the two helicopters were flying close to each other just before the disaster,” he explained. “The crash occurred approximately a mile and a half from the local airport in a farm field.”

Rescue teams responded swiftly to reports of the aviation accident shortly after 11:25 a.m. on Sunday. Video footage captured one helicopter spiraling violently to the ground as police and firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames engulfing one of the units.

The Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the tragic incident was a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C, both occupied only by their respective pilots.

Sal Silipino, owner of a café close to the site of the crash, recounted how the two pilots were regulars who enjoyed meals together. He remarked on the shock felt by all present when they witnessed the helicopters take off, unaware of the calamity that would soon follow.

Hammonton resident Dan Dameshek described hearing a loud snap as he was leaving the gym and observed both helicopters spinning out of control. Witnesses are providing valuable information to the investigators, who are focusing on communications between the two pilots.

“Most midair collisions stem from a failure to 'see and avoid,'” stated Alan Diehl, a former crash investigator for the FAA and NTSB. He highlighted the importance of reviewing the out-of-cockpit views of both aircraft to determine if one pilot's blind spot contributed to the incident.

Despite mostly cloudy conditions at the time of the collision, sources indicate that wind speeds were low, and visibility remained adequate.