Hammonton: A midair collision between two helicopters on Sunday evening resulted in one death and left another person in critical condition, according to local law enforcement.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel reported that emergency units were dispatched to the vicinity of Hammonton Municipal Airport at approximately 09:55 pm (IST) following reports of an aviation disaster. Footage from the scene captured one of the aircraft in a rapid downward spiral. Responding fire and police crews were able to douse a blaze that had consumed one of the helicopters.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft involved as an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C. Only the pilot was aboard each helicopter at the time of the impact. One pilot was pronounced dead, while the other was airlifted to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries.

Sal Silipino, a local cafe owner, noted that the two pilots were frequent customers who often shared breakfast. He and several patrons observed the helicopters departing just before the accident occurred. “It was shocking,” Silipino said. “I am still shaking after that happened.”

Located in Atlantic County, roughly 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Hammonton is a farming community of approximately 15,000 residents situated near the million-acre Pine Barrens wilderness.

Federal investigators from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently probing the incident. Alan Diehl, a former investigator for both agencies, stated that the inquiry will focus on pilot communications and visibility.

“Virtually, all midair collisions are a failure to what they call 'see and avoid, '” Diehl explained. “Clearly, they will be looking at the out-of-cockpit views of the two aircraft and seeing if one pilot was approaching from the blind side.”

Weather conditions at the time featured light winds and good visibility despite overcast skies, according to AccuWeather.

With inputs from AP