A deadly mid-air collision between two helicopters occurred in southern New Jersey on December 28, 2025, leaving one pilot dead and another critically injured, according to authorities. The crash happened near Hammonton, a rural area where emergency crews rushed to the scene as flames and wreckage burned in an open field.

Broadcast footage from the scene shows both helicopters destroyed on impact, with first responders working quickly to secure the area and provide lifesaving aid. One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Officials confirmed that both aircraft were Enstrom helicopters operating under visual flight rules, commonly known as VFR. Neither aircraft was in contact with air traffic control at the time of the collision, a legal but higher-risk arrangement often used for non-commercial and training flights.

The crash occurred in airspace not far from the busy Philadelphia flight corridor, an area that frequently sees mixed civilian and private aviation traffic. Investigators are examining whether visibility limitations, pilot situational awareness, or airspace congestion played a role in the collision.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched a joint investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Their review will include flight paths, weather conditions, pilot experience, and whether standard see-and-avoid procedures were properly followed.

This incident underscores the inherent dangers of operating under visual flight rules in congested airspace and raises renewed questions about safety protocols for private helicopter operations. Federal officials say further updates will be released as investigators analyze flight data and wreckage recovered from the scene.