At a Glance
- Two helicopters collided in Hammonton, NJ, killing one pilot and critically injuring the other.
- The crash happened at 11:25 a.m. near the 100 block of Basin Road, close to Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- Both aircraft had only pilots aboard; no ground injuries reported.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights risks of low-altitude helicopter operations in populated areas.
A collision between two privately-piloted helicopters in Hammonton, Atlantic County, resulted in one fatality and a critical injury, officials said. The crash occurred early Sunday morning near the municipal airport, sending flames and smoke into the sky. Investigators are working with the NTSB to determine why the aircraft struck.
The Crash
The collision took place at about 11:25 a.m. near the 100 block of Basin Road. Both helicopters, each carrying a single pilot and no passengers, plummeted into a field and burst into flames. No people on the ground were hurt.
- Time: 11:25 a.m.
- Location: 100 block of Basin Road, near Hammonton Municipal Airport
- Casualties: 1 fatality, 1 critical injury
Witness Accounts
Witnesses described a sudden snap and rapid spinning of the aircraft. Dan Dameshek filmed the event, saying the first helicopter flipped and then the second snapped. SkyForce10 also observed one helicopter with major burn damage.
Dan Dameshek stated:
> “Immediately, the first helicopter went from right side up to upside down and started rapidly spinning, falling out of the air. And then it looked like the second helicopter was okay for a second, and then it sounded like another snap or something… and then that helicopter started rapidly spinning out of the air.”
Caitlyn Collins said:
> “I just held his hand and said, ‘Everything is going to be OK. Everyone is coming for you. We all know you’re here. You’re safe here. The sirens are for you. They’re on their way. You just got to stay,'”
Sal Silipino said:
> “I was talking to the customers and we looked up and I see one spiraling. I didn’t see them collide or anything. I see the one go down and then the other one go down. And at first I was a little bit in shock. Did they just crash? Was that real what I saw? And then it was all over. We saw all the smoke. It was terrifying.”
Kevin Friel said:
> “Reports were that they were flying in tandem, that they were flying close together, which is probably what caused the collision to occur.”
Investigation
The police chief said the investigation will be led by the NTSB with FAA assistance, not by local police. The pilots were known friends who frequently flew together and ate at the local café before departing.
Key Takeaways
- One pilot died, the other was critically injured.
- Both helicopters were solo-piloted and crashed near the municipal airport.
- The NTSB will lead the investigation with FAA help.
The tragedy underscores the need for careful coordination in low-altitude helicopter operations.
