At a Glance
- Two helicopters collided mid-air on Dec. 29, 2025, near Hammonton, New Jersey, killing both pilots.
- NTSB preliminary report shows the aircraft were flying in formation before converging and striking each other.
- Surveillance video captured the collision, which scattered debris across a 1,211-foot path.
- Why it matters: The findings offer the first official glimpse into how the crash unfolded and set the stage for a full investigation expected to take up to 18 months.
Two helicopters that took off together from Vineland-Downstown Airport ended in tragedy minutes later when they collided over Hammonton, New Jersey, according to a preliminary report released Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The crash on Dec. 29, 2025, claimed the lives of both pilots: Kenneth Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell.
Flight Path and Collision Sequence
Both aircraft lifted off from Vineland at approximately 9:48 a.m., landing at Hammonton Municipal Airport about 10 minutes later, the NTSB said. After a brief stop, they departed again and collided around 11:24 a.m. while flying in a loose, slightly staggered formation.
Surveillance footage obtained by investigators shows:
- The helicopters began converging while still airborne
- Contact occurred as the gap closed
- One aircraft tumbled downward immediately
- The other pitched up, leveled briefly, then spun out of control and fell
The impact site lay roughly 1.5 miles from the Hammonton airport. Debris from both helicopters-totaling a 1,211-foot dispersal pattern-contained tell-tale paint chips from the opposing aircraft, including rotor blade scrapes on tail sections.
Eyewitness Account
Sal Silipino, owner of the nearby Apron Café, said the two pilots were friends who often flew together and had eaten at his restaurant earlier that morning.
“I was talking to the customers and we looked up and I see one spiraling,” Silipino recalled. “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.”
Investigation Timeline
The NTSB emphasized that Tuesday’s release is only a preliminary factual summary. A final report detailing probable cause and any safety recommendations will not be published for 12 to 18 months.
Until then, investigators will:
- Review maintenance logs for both helicopters
- Examine pilot training records and medical histories
- Analyze weather, air-traffic communications, and flight plans
- Reconstruct the final seconds using radar, video, and physical evidence
Local Impact
The crash prompted a temporary flight restriction over the area as emergency crews collected wreckage spread across woods and fields. Both aircraft were substantially damaged and will remain in NTSB custody as the inquiry continues.
News Of Philadelphia first reported the pilots’ identities and their routine of flying together, noting that residents near the airport often saw the pair conducting formation flights on weekends.
Key Takeaways
- NTSB surveillance video confirms the helicopters converged before impact
- Paint transfers on rotor blades show the exact collision points
- Full findings and any safety changes will wait until the final report
- The crash has renewed attention on formation-flying protocols for private pilots
