Kenneth Kirsch and Michael Greenberg Identified in Fatal Midair Helicopter Collision in Hammonton
A second pilot critically injured in a midair helicopter collision in South Jersey has died from his injuries, police confirmed Monday, bringing the death toll from the crash to two.
The collision occurred Sunday near Basin Road and White Horse Pike shortly after both helicopters departed from Hammonton Municipal Airport. Hammonton Police identified the pilots as Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell.
Police said Kirsch was piloting an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition following the crash. Authorities confirmed Monday that Kirsch later died from his injuries. Greenberg, who was flying an Enstrom 280C helicopter, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel described the two men as longtime friends who shared a deep passion for aviation and were well known at the local airport.
“They’ve been flying for quite some time,” Friel said. “They were kind of a staple at the Hammonton airport. They would frequently fly in, meet each other to have a meal together, and then fly out.”
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the pilots were the only occupants aboard both helicopters at the time of the crash.
Investigators said the aircraft had taken off from Hammonton Municipal Airport shortly before the collision, which was reported around 11:25 a.m. When firefighters arrived at the scene, one of the helicopters was fully engulfed in flames.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA. NTSB investigators returned to the site early Monday to document the debris field, which authorities said stretches approximately 100 yards.
A spokesperson for the NTSB said both helicopters are scheduled to be removed from the crash site on Tuesday and transported to a secure facility for further examination. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though officials cautioned that the full investigation could take significantly longer.
“It’s going to be a little while,” Chief Friel said. “They are very meticulous. They try to recover every part and piece of each aircraft to determine whether there was a mechanical malfunction, a component failure, or possible pilot error.”
In a statement shared on social media, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill expressed condolences to the families of the victims and gratitude for the first responders who assisted at the scene.
“My heart is broken for the family of the pilot killed in yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash in Hammonton,” Sherrill wrote. “I am grateful for the emergency responders on the ground.”
Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, noted the tragedy held personal significance for her. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
