A deadly midair helicopter crash near Hammonton Municipal Airport in New Jersey killed one pilot and critically injured another, prompting an FAA investigation.
Deadly Midair Helicopter Crash in New Jersey Kills 1, Critically Injures Another
A deadly midair helicopter crash near Hammonton Municipal Airport in southern New Jersey left one pilot dead and another critically injured on Sunday morning, according to local and federal authorities.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said emergency crews were dispatched to the airport area shortly after 11:25 a.m. following reports of an aviation crash. Video from the scene shows one helicopter spinning uncontrollably before crashing to the ground and bursting into flames. Firefighters quickly worked to contain the blaze.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash involved two helicopters—an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C—that struck each other while airborne. Each aircraft was carrying only the pilot at the time of the incident.
One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Hammonton, a community of roughly 15,000 residents in Atlantic County, is located about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia and near the Pine Barrens. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into what caused the crash.
Former FAA and NTSB investigator Alan Diehl said investigators will closely examine pilot visibility and communication.
“Most midair crashes come down to a breakdown in the ‘see and avoid’ principle,” Diehl said. “They will be analyzing whether either aircraft approached from a blind spot.”
Weather conditions at the time included mostly cloudy skies, light winds, and good visibility, according to AccuWeather.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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