A devastating midair collision between two small helicopters near Hammonton Municipal Airport in southern New Jersey claimed the lives of both pilots on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with the second victim succumbing to his injuries the following day. The incident occurred around 11:25 a.m., shortly after the aircraft—an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C—departed the airport.
Witnesses reported the helicopters flying close together in tandem before the collision, which sent both plummeting to the ground in a rural area near Basin Road and White Horse Pike. One helicopter burst into flames upon impact in a tree line, while the other landed in an open field. First responders from the Hammonton Police Department, fire department, and AtlantiCare EMS quickly arrived, extinguishing the fire and providing aid, but the crash proved fatal for both men aboard, with no other occupants involved.
Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, New Jersey, piloted the Enstrom F-28A, which he owned according to FAA records. He earned his private pilot license in 2014 and was airlifted by medical helicopter to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he fought for his life in critical condition before passing away on Monday, December 29.
Kirsch was a dedicated aviation enthusiast whose passion for flying brought him regularly to the Hammonton airport, often in the company of his close friend. Residents and local business owners remembered him as a familiar, pleasant presence in the community, someone who embodied the quiet joy of recreational piloting in the skies over South Jersey’s farmland and Pine Barrens. His commitment to aviation reflected a lifestyle centered on precision, freedom, and the thrill of shared flights.
Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell, New Jersey, was at the controls of the Enstrom 280C helicopter, registered to M&M Charter LLC of Mountville, Pennsylvania. Like Kirsch, he obtained his private pilot license in 2014, and the two friends frequently met for breakfast at the Apron Café overlooking the airport runway before taking off together.
Greenberg was pronounced dead at the crash scene, his helicopter coming to rest in a field amid the wreckage. The pair’s routine of gathering at the café on nice-weather Sundays had made them staples at the small airport, where staff noted they were always together, often with one helicopter following the other in the air. Their bond highlighted how aviation fostered lasting friendships among hobbyists in the region.
The crash unfolded in a peaceful stretch of Atlantic County, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia, where the Hammonton area blends agricultural fields with proximity to the vast New Jersey Pine Barrens. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have launched a joint investigation into the cause, focusing on the reported close proximity of the aircraft.
Early accounts from witnesses described a loud snap followed by both helicopters spinning uncontrollably downward, a harrowing sight that left local residents shaken. Emergency personnel, including off-duty officers and nearby homeowners who rushed to assist, demonstrated remarkable courage in the immediate aftermath, underscoring the response typical of rural South Jersey communities.
Kenneth Kirsch and Michael Greenberg’s shared love of flying defined much of their later years, turning weekend mornings into cherished rituals of camaraderie and exploration from the skies. Both men pursued private piloting as a rewarding hobby after earning their licenses over a decade ago, finding in it a sense of adventure and connection that extended beyond the cockpit.
Their regular breakfasts at the airport café symbolized the simple pleasures they enjoyed—good food, good company, and the promise of a clear day for flight. In the absence of extensive public details about their professional careers, family lives, or other pursuits, their story stands as a testament to the enduring friendships built through shared passions and the risks inherent in them.
The aviation community and residents near Hammonton Municipal Airport mourn the two friends whose final flight ended in tragedy, yet their lives remain a poignant reminder of the bonds formed in pursuit of the skies and the importance of treasuring those connections. We extend heartfelt condolences to all who knew them, honoring two men who lived with enthusiasm and left an impression through their quiet dedication to a life well lived.