HAMMONTON, N.J. — A midair collision between two helicopters in southern New Jersey on Sunday killed one person and critically injured another, intensifying concerns within the aviation community after a string of deadly crashes in the past year.
Authorities said officers were called late Sunday morning after reports of a crash involving two helicopters near Basin Road and White Horse Pike. Both aircraft went down in separate locations, and one was engulfed in flames when emergency crews arrived. Witness video showed one helicopter spinning violently as it descended.
The aircraft were identified as an Enstrom F‑28A and an Enstrom 280C operating near Hammonton Municipal Airport. Only the pilots were aboard each helicopter. One pilot died at the scene, while the other was transported to a hospital with life‑threatening injuries. Federal investigators have opened an inquiry into the cause of the collision.
Aviation professionals said the incident highlights persistent challenges in low‑altitude flight operations.
“Helicopters share airspace that can get crowded very quickly, especially around smaller airports without control towers,” said Mark Ellison, a retired commercial helicopter pilot and safety consultant. “Midair collisions are rare, but when they happen, they’re almost always catastrophic. This is exactly the kind of scenario the industry has been trying to prevent.”
Local residents said the crash shook the normally quiet community.
“I heard a loud snap, like metal breaking, and then saw something spiraling down,” said Maria Torres, who lives near the crash site. “It was terrifying. You never expect something like this to happen so close to home.”
Sunday’s crash adds to a troubling pattern of recent aviation tragedies. Earlier this year, a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert killed six people, including Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of Access Bank and one of Nigeria’s most prominent business leaders, along with his wife and son. That aircraft went down during a nighttime flight, prompting renewed scrutiny of visibility and navigation procedures.
Aviation analysts say the cluster of incidents is prompting broader questions about safety standards.
“We’re seeing a combination of aging aircraft, pilot workload, and increasingly complex airspace,” said Dr. Lena Marshall, an aviation policy researcher. “Each crash is different, but together they point to systemic issues that deserve attention.”
At Hammonton Municipal Airport, pilots who knew the victims described them as experienced and well‑liked.
“They were part of our community,” said Tom Richards, a flight instructor who often saw the two pilots having breakfast at a nearby diner. “This is a heartbreaking loss. Everyone here is shaken.”
As investigators examine the wreckage in New Jersey, federal officials say they are reviewing flight paths, communication logs, and maintenance records. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks.
