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A second pilot has died and both have been publicly identified by authorities in connection with a midair helicopter collision that took place in New Jersey on Sunday (December 28), ABC News reports.
Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell, was identified as the pilot of the model 280C helicopter that died at the scene of the crash, the Hammonton Police Department confirmed. Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carney's Point, was identified as the pilot of the model F-28A helicopter who died at a hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.
The two helicopters "collided in midair" near the Hammonton Municipal Airport and plummeted to the ground in the area of the 100 block of Basin Road, police confirmed. One of the helicopters was described as being "engulfed in flames" by the Hammonton Police Department.
A video shared on social media filmed from the parking lot of a Tractor Supply Co. store in Hammonton showed a large black plume of smoke visible in the distance on Sunday (December 28). The crash occurred just after 12:00 p.m. local time, according to Atlantic County Fire and EMS radio traffic.
“We got one helicopter fully involved, I’m looking for the second one, I got another one in the woods down. Start extrication, we’re gonna need expedited response,” a dispatcher said audio obtained by the New York Post.
“We have two confirmed injuries,” another voice said in the audio.
Two pilots were the only individuals involved in the mid-air collision, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed in a statement to the New York Post.
“An Enstrom F-28A helicopter and Enstrom 280C helicopter collided in mid-air near Hammonton Municipal Airport in New Jersey around 12:25 p.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 28,” the FAA wrote. “Only the pilots were on board each aircraft. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.”
The two helicopters were both aircrafts manufactured decades ago. Police said the helicopters were seen flying close together prior to the crash taking place.