BREAKING UPDATE: 2 helicopters collide in Hammonton, NJ—2 pilots dead

Authorities on Monday identified the two pilots killed when their helicopters collided midair near Hammonton, New Jersey, in a crash that investigators are now working to reconstruct.

The victims were identified as Kenneth Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell. Police said the men were friends and both were experienced pilots. Each was flying alone at the time of the crash.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said the collision occurred late Sunday morning in a farm field roughly a mile and a half from Hammonton Municipal Airport. Kirsch was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Greenberg was killed at the scene.

“Statements from witnesses had the two helicopters flying close together just before the crash,” Friel said in a statement. He added that emergency crews were dispatched around 11:25 am after reports of an aircraft accident.

Video from the scene showed one helicopter spinning rapidly before striking the ground. Fire crews extinguished flames that engulfed one of the aircraft shortly after impact.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the crash involved an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter. Only the pilots were on board each aircraft. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are jointly investigating the collision, with NTSB personnel arriving on site Monday.

Witnesses described a sudden and violent sequence. Dan Dameshek, a Hammonton resident, told NBC10 he heard a loud snapping sound and saw both helicopters lose control moments later.

“Immediately, the first helicopter went from right side up to upside down and started rapidly spinning,” Dameshek said. He added that the second aircraft appeared stable briefly before also spiraling downward.

Sal Silipino, who owns a cafe near the airport, said both pilots were regular customers who often ate breakfast together. He said several people at the cafe watched the helicopters take off shortly before the crash.

“One started spiraling down, and then the other followed,” Silipino said. “It was shocking.”

Hammonton is a town of about 15,000 residents in Atlantic County, located near the Pine Barrens region of southern New Jersey. The crash occurred in a largely agricultural area.

Aviation experts said investigators will focus on whether the pilots were able to see each other before the collision. Alan Diehl, a former FAA and NTSB crash investigator, said most midair collisions result from a breakdown in what pilots call “see and avoid.”

“They’ll be looking closely at visibility, cockpit sightlines, and relative positioning,” Diehl said.

Weather conditions at the time were mostly cloudy, but visibility was good and winds were light, according to AccuWeather.

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.