Friends and fellow pilots perish in midair collision
Two men who died after their helicopters collided in midair over New Jersey have been identified as experienced private pilots and close friends. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, 28 December 2025, near Hammonton Municipal Airport, approximately 35 miles south-east of Philadelphia.
Authorities confirmed the victims as Kenneth Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell. Both men held private pilot licences obtained in 2014 and were known to fly together regularly from the local airfield.
Scene of the tragedy
Emergency services responded to reports of an aviation crash at around 11:25 am on Sunday. Witnesses described seeing the two Enstrom helicopters flying in close proximity before a catastrophic collision sent both aircraft spiralling into a farm field.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel stated that Greenberg was pronounced dead at the crash site, while Kirsch was flown to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. "Reports were that they were flying in tandem, that they were flying close together, which is probably what caused the collision to occur," Chief Friel told local media.
Fire crews extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.
A routine flight turns to disaster
Investigators from the NTSB examined the accident site on Monday, determining the debris field spanned roughly 100 yards. The wreckage included components from the main and tail rotors of both aircraft.
Sal Silipino, owner of the Apron Cafe adjacent to the airport, revealed the two pilots were regular customers who had breakfast at his establishment just before the fatal flight. "They were always together … If we see one flying, the other one was always right behind them," Silipino told NJ.com.
Patrons at the cafe watched the helicopters take off, only to be horrified as the aircraft fell from the sky moments later. "It was shocking. Still shaking to see that happen," Silipino added, describing the pilots as kind and pleasant men.
Investigation and community reaction
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described the crash as a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C helicopter. Only the pilots were on board at the time.
FAA records indicate Kirsch was the registered owner of one helicopter, while the other was registered to M&M Charter LLC of Mountville, Pennsylvania.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community and drawn responses from New Jersey's political leaders. US Senator Cory Booker called the crash "horrifying and tragic," while Senator Andy Kim said he was "heartbroken" by the news.
Former crash investigator Alan Diehl suggested the inquiry would likely focus on the "see and avoid" principle critical to flight safety, examining cockpit visibility and any communication between the two pilots.
Hammonton, a town of some 15,000 residents in Atlantic County, is known for its agricultural history and proximity to the Pine Barrens wilderness.
