Second pilot dies after midair helicopter collision above New Jersey

Key Concepts

• Mid-air collision: An accident where two aircraft collide while in flight.
• NTSB: National Transportation Safety Board – the U.S. federal agency investigating transportation accidents.
• FAA: Federal Aviation Administration – the U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating civil aviation.
• Flight Path: The route an aircraft follows during flight.
• Maintenance Records: Documentation detailing the upkeep and repair history of an aircraft.

Fatal Helicopter Collision in New Jersey: Initial Report

Two helicopters collided mid-air in New Jersey, resulting in the confirmed deaths of both pilots. The incident occurred yesterday around 11:30 AM near Basson Road and Route 206, approximately 1.5 miles from Hamilton Municipal Airport, where both aircraft had recently departed.

Pilot Identification

The pilots have been identified as Michael Greenberg, 71, of S, New Jersey, and Kenneth Kersch, 65, of Carese Point, New Jersey. The crash site, visible from Chopper 3 footage, displays extensive damage to both helicopters.

Investigation Details

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently on scene leading the investigation. Their work involves documenting the wreckage before transporting the helicopters to a secure location for further analysis. The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the collision, encompassing several key areas:

• Audio Recordings: Analysis of air traffic control and potentially cockpit recordings.
• Flight Paths: Reconstruction of the flight paths of both helicopters to understand their trajectories and proximity.
• Maintenance Records: Examination of the maintenance history of both aircraft to identify any potential mechanical issues.

Witness Account

Witness Caitlyn Collins reported hearing a distinct “wub wub wub” sound indicating the helicopters were close. She described observing a red helicopter on its side and providing comfort to one of the pilots, who was conscious and breathing at the time. She stated, “I just heard this wub wub wub wub wub wub wub wub wub and I knew it was close. You know, you can feel it. We saw a red helicopter on its side…I just held his hand and just told him everything was going to be okay and everything was fine and I told him, you know, you could hear the sirens. I said, 'They're coming for you.'"

Agency Collaboration

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is assisting the NTSB in the investigation. CBS News Philadelphia reached out to the NTSB for comment but is currently awaiting a response.

Current Status

The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of the mid-air collision remains undetermined. The NTSB’s comprehensive analysis of the evidence will be crucial in establishing the sequence of events and identifying contributing factors.