Two Pilots Killed in Tragic Mid-Air Collision Near Hammonton Municipal Airport

A quiet Sunday morning in Atlantic County turned tragic when two helicopters collided mid-air, claiming the lives of two veteran pilots who were well-known in the local aviation community. The accident occurred on December 28, 2025, just miles from Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81).

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities, the collision involved two lightweight aircraft: an Enstrom 280C Shark and an Enstrom F-28A. The pilots have been identified as Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carneys Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell.

A Morning Ritual Ends in Tragedy

In a heartbreaking detail shared by locals, the two pilots were close friends who shared a weekly tradition. Every Sunday, they would meet for breakfast at the Apron Cafe, located right next to the Hammonton airport, before taking to the skies together.

"They were regulars here," said Sal Silipino, owner of the cafe. "They’d have their breakfast, talk shop, and then head out to fly. It’s a devastating loss for the airport family."

Witnesses reported seeing the two helicopters flying in close formation shortly after takeoff. At approximately 11:25 a.m., a "loud snap" was heard as the two aircraft made contact. Video footage captured by bystanders shows one helicopter spiralling rapidly to the ground while the other bursts into flames upon impact in a nearby farm field.

Technical Details and Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in the investigation, focusing on the "see and avoid" principle that governs flight in non-towered airspace.

Aircraft Specifications

NTSB investigators returned to the scene on Monday to document the 100-yard debris field. Initial reports suggest that the wreckage contains significant portions of the main rotors and tail sections, indicating a high-energy impact.

"Virtually all mid-air collisions are a failure of the 'see and avoid' protocol," stated Alan Diehl, a former NTSB investigator. "The investigation will look closely at the sight lines from both cockpits to determine if one aircraft was in the other's blind spot during a manoeuvre."

5 Key Facts About the Hammonton Crash

The "Buddy Flight" Factor: The pilots were known to fly together frequently, often maintaining close proximity in the air, which is a common practice among experienced pilots but carries inherent risks.

Rapid Response: Local fire crews from Hammonton arrived within minutes to extinguish a post-impact fire that had engulfed Greenberg’s Enstrom 280C.

Licensing: FAA records show both men earned their pilot certificates in 2014, demonstrating over a decade of flight experience each.

No Other Injuries: Despite the crash occurring near residential areas and a farm field, no individuals on the ground were injured.

Black Box Limitation: Small helicopters like the Enstrom series are typically not required to carry Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) or Flight Data Recorders (FDR), making witness accounts and GPS data critical to the probe.

The Path Forward

The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days, which will detail the flight paths and any recorded communications. A full determination of the "probable cause" typically takes 12 to 24 months. In the meantime, the Hammonton aviation community is planning a memorial for the two pilots who spent their final morning doing exactly what they loved.