A fatal mid-air collision between two helicopters occurred above Hammonton, New Jersey on Sunday, resulting in one confirmed fatality and leaving another individual with critical, life-threatening injuries. According to local authorities, the incident took place at approximately 11:25 AM EST (16:25 GMT).
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified the involved aircraft as an Enstrom 280C helicopter and an Enstrom F-28A helicopter—both lightweight models typically accommodating three occupants or fewer. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that only the pilots were aboard each aircraft at the time of the collision.
Emergency responders from the Hammonton Police Department reported that one of the helicopters became engulfed in flames upon impact with the ground. Fire suppression efforts were immediately initiated by first responders at the crash site.
The location of the accident places it approximately 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, near the Atlantic City Expressway. The FAA has announced that a federal investigation will be conducted to determine the causative factors behind the tragic collision.
This incident follows another notable aviation tragedy that occurred in January, when a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet in Washington DC, claiming 67 lives. Despite this recent accident, FAA statistical data indicates that the rate of deadly helicopter accidents has shown a declining trend over the past three years.