HAMMONTON, N.J. — A second pilot has died following a midair collision between two helicopters near a South Jersey airport, authorities said Tuesday.
Police identified the victims as Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell. Greenberg was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday, while Kirsch, who was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, died from his injuries on Monday, officials said.
The crash occurred late Sunday morning near Hammonton Municipal Airport, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia. According to investigators, the two privately operated Enstrom helicopters — an F‑28A flown by Kirsch and a 280C flown by Greenberg — collided in midair before crashing into a nearby field.
Witnesses told police the aircraft appeared to be flying close together moments before impact. Video posted online showed one helicopter spinning toward the ground before crashing.
No passengers were aboard either aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the collision. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be mostly cloudy with good visibility and light winds.
Authorities said the two men were longtime aviation enthusiasts who frequently flew together from the small regional airport.
