A midair collision involving two helicopters in southern New Jersey has left one pilot dead and another critically injured, prompting a federal investigation into how the crash occurred, authorities said.
The incident happened on Sunday near Hammonton Municipal Airport, when two small helicopters collided while airborne. Emergency services were alerted shortly after the crash, and responders rushed to the scene near Basin Road, a short distance from the airport.
Local police said the first emergency call was received at around late morning. When crews arrived, they found one helicopter severely damaged at the crash site, while a second aircraft had come down in a wooded area nearby. Firefighters and rescue teams worked quickly to secure the area and assist the injured pilot.
Officials confirmed that only the pilots were on board the two aircraft. One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved.
Video footage circulating on social media showed one of the helicopters spinning uncontrollably before crashing to the ground. Thick smoke could be seen rising from the wreckage as emergency crews worked nearby. Police said the footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft involved were an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter. The collision occurred in airspace near Hammonton Municipal Airport, though officials have not confirmed whether either aircraft was taking off or landing at the time.
In a statement, the FAA said both the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, with the NTSB leading the inquiry. Investigators will examine flight paths, pilot communications, aircraft maintenance records, and weather conditions at the time of the collision.
Aviation experts say midair collisions are rare but often involve issues related to visibility and pilot awareness. A former FAA and NTSB investigator told US media that one of the first steps will be reviewing whether the pilots were in contact with each other or air traffic services, and whether they were able to visually identify the other aircraft in time to avoid impact.
He added that investigators typically focus on “see and avoid” principles, which require pilots operating under visual flight rules to maintain awareness of surrounding air traffic. Blind spots and aircraft positioning are often key factors examined in such cases.
Scanner audio from emergency responders captured the urgency of the response, with dispatchers reporting one helicopter fully engulfed and another located in a wooded area. Fire crews were instructed to begin rescue operations immediately and request additional support.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way confirmed the incident in a social media post, saying she had been briefed on the crash and that multiple agencies, including state police and local emergency management teams, were working at the scene. She confirmed that at least one fatality had occurred.
The crash caused temporary road closures in the area as authorities secured the site and ensured public safety. Residents were advised to avoid the vicinity while emergency and investigative operations continued.
Hammonton Municipal Airport is a small public-use airport that supports private and training flights. Officials said flight operations in the area were affected following the crash as a precautionary measure.
Investigators are expected to spend several days at the site collecting evidence before releasing preliminary findings. The NTSB typically issues an initial report within weeks, though a full investigation can take months.
Authorities have asked the public to refrain from speculating about the cause of the crash until the investigation is complete. Further updates are expected as officials gather more information about the circumstances leading up to the collision.