Second pilot dies after mid-air helicopter crash over New Jersey

Only the pilots were aboard the helicopters at the time of the crash

Two pilots involved in a mid-air helicopter collision in New Jersey have died, authorities said.

Police in Hammonton, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia, responded to a report of an aviation crash around 11:25 a.m. Sunday, and police and fire crews extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters.

Authorities identified the pilots as Kenneth Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71. The two were friends who both lived in New Jersey and would often have breakfast together at a cafe not far from the site of the crash, KVUE reported.

Kirsch was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital after the crash, while Greenberg died at the crash site.

“Statements from witnesses had the two helicopters flying close together just before the crash,” Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said. “The crash site was approximately a mile and half from the airport in a farm field.”

Two helicopters crashed mid-air in New Jersey Sunday afternoon, killing both pilots involved (WPVI-TV/6ABC)

The FAA and NTSB are investigating (WPVI-TV/6ABC)

The Federal Aviation Administration described the crash as a mid-air collision between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter, flown by Kirsch, and an Enstrom 280C helicopter, flown by Greenberg, over Hammonton Municipal Airport.

Only the pilots were on board each aircraft, officials said.

Videos circulating on social media showed thick gray smoke billowing out from the area of the crash. Other footage reportedly showing the crash showed a helicopter spinning out of control as it fell toward the ground.

Sal Silipino, the owner of the nearby cafe frequented by the pilots, said the two would often have breakfasts together. He said he and other customers saw the helicopters spinning out of control before falling to the ground.

“It was shocking,” he told KVUE. “I’m still shaking after that happened.”

Hammonton resident Dan Dameshek told NBC10 that he was leaving the gym when he saw the two helicopters spiraling out of control.

“Immediately, the first helicopter went from right side up to upside down and started rapidly spinning, falling out of the air,” Dameshek said. “And then it looked like the second helicopter was OK for a second, and then it sounded like another snap or something ... and then that helicopter started rapidly spinning out of the air.”

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were at the crash site Monday, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified are will be investigating the crash, police said.

With reporting by the Associated Press.