HAMMONTON, N.J. — In a tragic aviation accident, two helicopters collided midair in Hammonton, New Jersey, claiming the life of one pilot and leaving the other critically injured. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the crash involved an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter near Hammonton Municipal Airport.

Emergency crews responded promptly to the scene around 11:25 a.m. on Sunday, where they managed to extinguish flames that had engulfed one of the helicopters. Video footage captured the harrowing moment as one helicopter spiraled rapidly downward before the collision.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel confirmed that only the pilots were aboard in both aircraft during the accident. One pilot succumbed to injuries at the scene while the other was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, now battling life-threatening wounds.

Located about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Hammonton is a small town known for its agricultural roots and proximity to the sprawling Pine Barrens forest.

Authorities from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will be conducting thorough investigations to uncover the circumstances behind this tragic collision.