At a Glance
- One pilot killed and another critically injured in a helicopter collision near Hammonton, NJ.
- The crash happened at 11:25 a.m. near the 100 block of Basin Road, close to Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- No ground injuries and no passengers were aboard either helicopter.
- Why it matters: The incident underscores the risks of small-aircraft operations in populated areas.
A tragic helicopter collision in Hammonton, New Jersey, left one pilot dead and another severely wounded. The incident occurred early Sunday morning near the municipal airport and involved two privately owned aircraft. Local authorities are investigating the cause.
Collision Details
The two helicopters, each carrying a single pilot and no passengers, collided just moments after takeoff. The impact sent both aircraft into a fiery crash on the 100 block of Basin Road, close to the airport. Emergency crews reported no injuries on the ground.
Witness Accounts
A Hammonton resident captured the crash on video, describing the sudden snap and rapid spin of the helicopters.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel stated:
> “It was probably just a moment or two after their flight started that they collided.”
Dan Dameshek described the scene:
> “I was coming back from the gym when I heard a loud snap and then looked up to see the two helicopters spinning out of control.”
> “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 shared her experience:
> “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 added context:
> “I was talking to the customers and we looked up and I see one spiraling,” said Sal Silipino, owner of Apron Cafe.
> “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.”
SkyForce10 was on the scene and found both helicopters crashed in a field, one engulfed in flames.
Investigation and Aftermath
Police Chief Friel said the pilots were friends who often flew together and were known to dine at the airport’s café before heading home. He emphasized that the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation with assistance from the FAA. Officials confirmed that the crash was caused by the collision, but the exact cause remains under investigation.
Key Takeaways
- One pilot died and another was critically injured in a collision near Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- The incident occurred at 11:25 a.m. and involved two helicopters with no passengers.
- The investigation will be conducted by the NTSB with FAA support.
The tragedy highlights the importance of safety protocols in small-aircraft operations and the swift response of local emergency services.
