Sun Dec 28 22:25:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
One Dead, One Critically Injured in Mid-Air Helicopter Collision in Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton, NJ – December 29, 2025 – A mid-air collision between two helicopters near Hammonton Municipal Airport on Sunday, December 28, 2025, resulted in one fatality and one critical injury, authorities confirmed.
According to Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel, emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:25 AM EST following reports of an aviation incident. Video footage showed one helicopter spiraling out of control before crashing to the ground and subsequently catching fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the aircraft involved as an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C. Initial reports indicate that only the pilots were aboard each helicopter. One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation into the cause of the collision. Investigators will focus on pilot communication, visibility from the cockpits, and adherence to “see and avoid” protocols. While weather conditions at the time of the crash were reportedly cloudy, AccuWeather reported light winds and good visibility.
Alan Diehl, a former crash investigator for the FAA and NTSB, emphasized the importance of determining whether the pilots had sufficient visibility to avoid each other.
Hammonton, a town of approximately 15,000 residents in Atlantic County, New Jersey, is located about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia and is known for its agricultural history and proximity to the Pine Barrens.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
First Piper 