Hammonton, New Jersey — Two longtime friends and experienced pilots, 65-year-old Kenneth L. Kirsch of Carney’s Point and 71-year-old Michael Greenberg of Sewell, died after their helicopters collided midair near Hammonton Municipal Airport on Sunday, police and officials confirmed. The crash, which happened just before noon around 11:25 a.m., has left a tight-knit aviation community in shock.
The pair had just lifted off from the small airport in southern New Jersey when witnesses saw the two Enstrom helicopters — Kirsch in an F-28A and Greenberg in a 280C — flying close together before suddenly spiraling out of control and crashing into a nearby field. One aircraft erupted in flames upon impact, and emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Greenberg was pronounced dead at the crash site, and Kirsch — initially critically injured — was airlifted to Cooper Hospital in nearby Camden County. Despite the best efforts of medical teams, Kirsch later succumbed to his injuries, bringing the death toll to two.
Sitting in the backyard of a nearby home, one of the downed helicopters left wreckage scattered across a roughly 100-yard debris field, investigators reported. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), assisted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has taken over the investigation and plans to remove both helicopters to a secure facility for detailed examination. Officials said a preliminary report is expected within about 30 days, but the full probe could take much longer.
Locals who knew the men describe them as more than just fellow pilots. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said the two had a deep bond and a shared love for flying that often brought them together socially. They frequently met at the Apron Café near the airport for breakfast before taking to the skies, a routine that made them familiar faces in town.
Eyewitnesses told news crews they heard a loud snap and saw the helicopters suddenly flip and plummet toward the ground. One resident, Caitlyn Collins, rushed to help Kirsch after his helicopter crashed into her property, holding his hand and reassuring him until first responders arrived — a moment that captured both the horror of the accident and the compassion of bystanders.
New Jersey officials, including Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill — herself a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot — expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Messages of condolence poured in from neighbors, friends, and aviation enthusiasts who knew the men. As authorities piece together what happened, the tight-knit Hammonton community continues to mourn the loss of two of its own.
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