Key Takeaways:
- Two pilots, Michael Greenberg and Kenneth L. Kirsch, were killed in a midair helicopter collision in Hammonton, New Jersey.
- The crash occurred on Sunday at around 11:25 a.m. near the intersection of Route 30 and Basin Road, about a mile from the Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- The helicopters were flying close together shortly after departure, which is believed to have caused the collision.
- The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
- A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report, including a probable cause, could take up to two years.
Introduction to the Incident
The town of Hammonton, New Jersey, witnessed a tragic incident on Sunday when two helicopters collided in midair, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The crash occurred at around 11:25 a.m. near the intersection of Route 30 and Basin Road, about a mile from the Hammonton Municipal Airport. The two pilots, Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell, N.J., and Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carneys Point, N.J., were pronounced dead, with Greenberg being pronounced dead at the scene and Kirsch at the hospital.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses in the area described seeing the helicopters flying unusually close together before the collision. Diana Cleuff of Shamong, New Jersey, said, "They were flying lower than I would presume a helicopter would be, and they were flying really close together, like too close." She added that she watched in horror as one helicopter crashed and the other appeared to struggle in the air. Another eyewitness, Caitlyn Collins, who lives in Hammonton, said that she and her husband heard the aircraft moments before the crash and rushed to the crash site, where they found one of the pilots conscious and breathing.
Investigation and Response
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the investigation. The investigation will examine the pilots, the aircraft, and the operating environment to determine the cause of the collision. According to FAA records, one helicopter is registered to a charter company in Lancaster, Pa., while the other is privately owned out of Carneys Point, N.J. Chief Kevin Friel of the Hammonton Police Department said that early reports indicate the aircraft were flying close together shortly after departure, which is probably what caused the collision to occur.
Aftermath and Reaction
The crash has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased pilots. Sal Silipino, owner of the Apron Cafe, where the pilots had stopped for breakfast before the crash, said, "They were just at our café having breakfast, they’re regulars, they come in, they seem to be very nice people." He added that he saw one helicopter go down and then the other, and it was a moment of disbelief. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of helicopter operations in the area, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The two helicopters involved in the collision were an Enstrom F-28A piloted by Kirsch and an Enstrom 280C piloted by Greenberg. Both helicopters were equipped with standard safety features, but it appears that the proximity of the aircraft to each other was a contributing factor to the collision. The pilots were experienced, with Greenberg and Kirsch having accumulated many hours of flight time. However, the investigation will examine the pilots’ training, experience, and decision-making on the day of the crash to determine if any human error contributed to the incident.
Conclusion and Future Steps
The midair collision of the two helicopters in Hammonton, New Jersey, is a tragic reminder of the risks involved in aviation. The investigation into the incident will be thorough and meticulous, with the goal of determining the cause of the collision and preventing similar incidents in the future. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will work together to examine all aspects of the incident, including the pilots, the aircraft, and the operating environment. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a final report, including a probable cause, could take up to two years. The community will continue to mourn the loss of the two pilots and will be watching closely as the investigation unfolds.