HAMMONTON, N.J. — A mid-air collision of two helicopters in New Jersey on Sunday resulted in one fatality and left another person with life-threatening injuries, according to federal authorities. The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with general aviation, even in localized airspace.
Helicopter Crash in Hammonton Leaves One Dead
Responders extinguished flames after the collision near Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- A mid-air collision occurred between two Enstrom helicopters over Hammonton Municipal Airport around 11:25 a.m. Sunday.
- One pilot died at the scene, and another was transported to a hospital with critical injuries.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.
- Hammonton, New Jersey, is a small city in Atlantic County, approximately 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel stated that emergency crews were dispatched to the scene following reports of a plane crash at approximately 11:25 a.m. Sunday. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames that had engulfed one of the helicopters.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft involved as an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter. The collision occurred directly over Hammonton Municipal Airport, and both aircraft were piloted by a single individual each.
What caused the helicopter collision in Hammonton? The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the mid-air collision to determine the contributing factors and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Video footage from the scene depicted one of the helicopters descending rapidly toward the ground. The injured pilot was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Hammonton is a community of roughly 15,000 residents situated in Atlantic County, southern New Jersey. The city, known for its agricultural heritage, is also close to the expansive Pine Barrens, a vast forest wilderness covering over 1 million acres (405,000 hectares).
Chief Friel confirmed that both the FAA and the NTSB have been notified and will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.
