At a Glance
- Two helicopters collided in Hammonton, NJ, killing one pilot and critically injuring another.
- The crash occurred at 11:25 a.m. near Basin Road, close to Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- Investigation led by the NTSB with FAA assistance.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights risks of close tandem helicopter operations and underscores the need for stringent flight safety protocols.
A tragic mid-air collision on Sunday morning near Hammonton, New Jersey, left one helicopter pilot dead and another critically wounded. The two aircraft, each carrying only a pilot, collided at roughly 11:25 a.m. and crashed in a field near the 100 block of Basin Road.
Crash Details
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopters spin out of control and tumble into the air. One aircraft flipped and fell, while the other spun before crashing. No passengers were aboard, and no one on the ground sustained injuries.
Witness Accounts
Dan Dameshek filmed the crash from his home and shared the footage with NBC10, describing a loud snap and rapid spinning of the aircraft. Caitlyn Collins, who lived in the backyard where the second helicopter fell, was among the first responders and held the hand of the survivor pilot.
Dan Dameshek stated:
> “I was coming back from the gym when I heard a loud snap and then looked up to see the two helicopters spinning out of control.”
Caitlyn Collins said:
> “I just held his hand and said, ‘Everything is going to be OK. Everyone is coming for you. We all know you’re here. You’re safe here. The sirens are for you. They’re on their way. You just got to stay,'”
Sal Silipino said:
> “I didn’t see them collide or anything. I see the one go down and then the other one go down. And at first I was a little bit in shock. Did they just crash? Was that real what I saw? And then it was all over. We saw all the smoke. It was terrifying.”
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel stated:
> “It was probably just a moment or two after their flight started that they collided.”
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time | 11:25 a.m. |
| Location | 100 block of Basin Road, near Hammonton Municipal Airport |
| Casualties | 1 pilot killed, 1 critically injured |
| Investigation | NTSB with FAA assistance |
Officials confirmed that the second pilot died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Key Takeaways
- One pilot was killed and another critically injured in the collision.
- The incident occurred at 11:25 a.m. near Basin Road, close to Hammonton Municipal Airport.
- The NTSB is leading the investigation with FAA assistance.
The incident underscores the dangers of close-proximity helicopter operations and highlights the importance of ongoing investigations to determine the root cause.
