Mid-Air Collision in South Jersey: NTSB Preliminary Report Details Fatal Formation Flight
A preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed new light on the sequence of events leading up to and following the fatal mid-air collision of two helicopters in Hammonton, New Jersey. The crash, which occurred on December 28, 2025, claimed the lives of both pilots, identified as Michael Greenberg, 71, and Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65.
Before the Crash: A Shared Flight Path
According to the NTSB’s findings, the flight originated earlier that morning when both aircraft—an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C—departed from Vineland-Downstown Airport around 9:48 a.m. The pilots, described by acquaintances as friends who frequently flew together, landed at Hammonton Municipal Airport approximately 10 minutes later.
After a brief period on the ground, both helicopters took off again shortly before the accident. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators captured the aircraft flying in close proximity, described in the report as “staggered” and “similar to a formation flight.” While formation flying is a recognized aviation practice, it requires specific briefing and consent between pilots due to the reduced margin for error.
The Collision
The NTSB report indicates that the critical moment occurred at approximately 11:24 a.m. Video evidence suggests that as the helicopters converged, the main rotor blades of one aircraft made contact with the tail rotor assembly of the other.
Following this impact, the sequence of destruction was rapid. One helicopter was seen pitching up sharply before yawing—twisting around its vertical axis—and descending rapidly. The other aircraft entered an uncontrolled spiral. One of the helicopters erupted into flames upon impacting a field near Basin Road, consuming much of the fuselage.
Aftermath and Investigation
The crash site debris field stretched approximately 1,211 feet, indicating the violence of the breakup. NTSB investigators noted that the main wreckage of one helicopter was located 890 feet from the start of the debris path, while the second came to rest roughly 270 feet away from the first.
In the immediate aftermath, emergency responders pronounced Greenberg dead at the scene. Kirsch was airlifted to a trauma center but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The wreckage has been recovered and moved to a secure facility for detailed examination. Investigators are expected to scrutinize the maintenance records of the decades-old aircraft and the specific flight plan filed for the day. While the preliminary report establishes the timeline and trajectory of the crash, the NTSB has stated that a final report determining the probable cause could take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
Safety and Operational Context
Aviation safety experts have noted that while mid-air collisions are rare, the risks associated with non-professional formation flying are significant. “Formation flight requires high levels of discipline and training,” noted one aviation analyst not involved in the investigation. “Even a momentary lapse in visual contact or a slight uncommanded movement can be catastrophic when rotor discs are within feet of each other.”
However, supporters of the general aviation community have cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing that both pilots were experienced and that the full mechanical history of the Enstrom helicopters must be ruled out as a contributing factor before pilot error is assumed.
