Tragic Midair Collision in Hammonton: Two Pilots Killed

Mon Dec 29 2025 21:22:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A collision between two helicopters in southern New Jersey led to the tragic death of two seasoned pilots. The incident took place near Hammonton Municipal Airport, sparking an immediate investigation.

Kenneth Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71, are identified as the pilots who lost their lives in a midair collision over Hammonton, New Jersey. Both were locals and friends who frequently visited a nearby café. Witnesses report seeing the helicopters flying close together before the crash occurred. Rescuers responded swiftly, but only the pilots were on board each helicopter. The investigation will focus on communication between the pilots and the circumstances leading to the incident.

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 would often have breakfast together at a café near the crash site in Hammonton, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel stated that Kirsch, of Carney’s Point, was pronounced dead at an area hospital after being flown there, while Greenberg, of Sewell, died at the crash site.

“Witness statements indicated that the two helicopters were flying closely together just before the crash,” Friel said. “The collision occurred approximately a mile and a half from the airport in a farm field.”

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board visited the site on Monday.

Friel mentioned that rescuers were called to respond to a report of an aviation crash around 11:25 a.m. Sunday. Footage from the scene depicted one helicopter spiraling to the ground before it was engulfed in flames.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft involved as an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter. Only the pilots were aboard.

Sal Silipino, the owner of the café near the crash site, remarked that the pilots were regulars who shared breakfast together often. He stated he and other patrons witnessed the helicopters take off just before the crash unfolded.

Damehek, a local resident, described hearing a loud snap and viewing the helicopters spinning uncontrollably: “The first helicopter flipped upside down and began rapidly spinning, then crashed,” he recounted. “The second helicopter also started spinning before descending.”

Local resident Dan Dameshek shared that as he left the gym, he heard a loud snap and observed two helicopters spiraling out of control.

Investigators are expected to examine communications between the two pilots and assess their visibility to one another during the flight. A former crash investigator noted, “Most midair collisions result from failure to ‘see and avoid.’ They will analyze cockpit views to determine if one pilot approached from a blind spot.”

Despite the cloudy weather at the time of the incident, conditions were believed to be clear with light wind, according to AccuWeather.