HAMMONTON – Two longtime friends were killed when their helicopters collided in midair Sunday near Hammonton Municipal Airport, authorities said.
Hammonton police confirmed Monday that both pilots died following the crash, which occurred about 11:25 a.m. on December 28 in a farm field roughly 1½ miles from the airport.
Kenneth Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, died after being flown to a hospital, while Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel.
According to Patch, witnesses told police the two helicopters were flying close together moments before the collision. The aircraft involved were an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Each helicopter was carrying only the pilot.
Video from the scene showed one helicopter spinning before crashing, followed by the second aircraft. Emergency crews extinguished a fire at the site.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board responded Monday. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Officials said the pilots were friends who regularly met for breakfast at a nearby café before flying. Weather conditions at the time were mostly cloudy, with light winds and good visibility.
