An Enstrom F-28A helicopter and Enstrom 280C helicopter collided in mid-air near Hammonton Municipal Airport
photo courtesy of ABC Channel 6
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hammonton NJ, a quiet Sunday morning in Atlantic County turned into a scene of tragedy and chaos as two helicopters collided in mid-air near the Hammonton Municipal Airport. The high-altitude impact on December 28, 2025, resulted in one fatality and left another pilot fighting for their life.
Federal and local authorities are currently on the scene at Basin Road, investigating what led to this rare and devastating aviation disaster.
🔥 One Helicopter Engulfed in Flames
According to Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel, emergency calls reporting the crash flooded in at approximately 11:25 a.m. Responding officers and firefighters arrived to find a gruesome scene: both aircraft had plummeted to the ground, with one helicopter completely engulfed in fire.
The Casualty Report:
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One Fatality: One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.
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One Critical Injury: The second pilot was rushed by EMS to a nearby trauma center with life-threatening injuries.
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Sole Occupants: The FAA confirmed that only the pilots were aboard each aircraft at the time of the collision.
🚁 The Aircraft Involved: Enstrom F-28A and 280C
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the two helicopters as an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C. Both models are light, piston-powered helicopters frequently used for flight training, agricultural work, or private travel.
The proximity of the crash to the Hammonton Municipal Airport suggests the aircraft may have been in the process of taking off, landing, or performing maneuvers within the airport’s traffic pattern.
🔍 NTSB Launches Major Federal Investigation
While local police and fire crews secured the site on Basin Road, the investigation has now been handed over to federal authorities.
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The NTSB: The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the probe to determine the cause of the mid-air collision. They will examine weather conditions, pilot communications, and mechanical records of both Enstrom helicopters.
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The FAA: Federal investigators will look into flight paths and radar data to understand how the two aircraft ended up in the same airspace.
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State Response: Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way confirmed that the Governor’s office is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with federal investigators.
⚠️ Safety in South Jersey Airspace
Mid-air collisions are statistically rare in general aviation but are almost always fatal. This incident has shaken the tight-knit flying community in South Jersey. Hammonton Municipal Airport serves as a vital hub for local pilots, and the surrounding area on Basin Road is largely rural, which likely prevented further casualties on the ground.
Hammonton Helicopter Crash: Summary of Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Date & Time | Sunday, Dec 28, 2025 |
| Location | Basin Road, Hammonton, NJ (Near Municipal Airport) |
| Aircraft Types | Enstrom F-28A and Enstrom 280C |
| Fatalities | 1 Confirmed |
| Injuries | 1 Critical (Life-Threatening) |
| Investigating Agencies | NTSB & FAA |
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i haven’t seen an enstrom in years.