Two Helicopter Pilots Die in South Jersey Midair Collision
Incident Overview
A tragic midair collision in South Jersey has claimed the lives of two helicopter pilots. Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, New Jersey, succumbed to his injuries after being critically injured in the incident, while 71-year-old Michael Greenberg of Sewell, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the crash site.
Details of the Collision
The collision occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, at approximately 11:25 a.m. near Basin Road and the White Horse Pike in Atlantic County. Both helicopters had taken off from Hammonton Municipal Airport shortly before the accident. Kirsch was piloting an Enstrom model F-28A when he was transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, he died from his injuries shortly thereafter. Greenberg was piloting an Enstrom model 280C and was found deceased on the scene. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that both helicopters carried only the two pilots at the time of the accident.
Community Impact and Investigation
Hammonton Polstart Chief Kevin Friel described Kirsch and Greenberg as longtime friends who shared a love for flying and frequently met at the Hammonton Airport. “They were kind of a staple at the Hammonton Airport,” Friel noted, highlighting their camaraderie and the community’s loss.
Firefighters responded swiftly to the scene, where start helicopter was fully engulfed in flames. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are currently conducting an investigation into the crash. NTSB investigators were on site on Monday evaluating the debris field, which spans approximately 100 yards. Both helicopters will be removed for a more detailed examination, and a preliminary report is anticipated within the next 30 days.
Eyewitness Account
Caitlyn Collins, a local resident, described the moment start of the helicopters landed in her backyard. She rushed to the wreckage to provide comfort to Kirsch. “I just held his hand, I just told him everything was going to be OK,” she recalled, as sirens approached the scene. Other neighbors assisted emergency crews as they arrived.
Response from Officials
New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill expressed her condolences on social media, stating, “My heart is broken for the family of the pilot killed in yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash in Hammonton. I am praying for the full and fast recovery of the other pilot injured and am grateful for the emergency responders on the ground.” Ms. Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, understands the risks associated with aviation.
As the investigation continues, the community remembers two passionate pilots whose lives were tragically cut short.
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