Pilot Killed, Another Critically Injured as Two Helicopters Collide Midair in New Jersey

One pilot was killed and another sustained life-threatening injuries after two helicopters collided midair near Hammonton Municipal Airport in the US state of New Jersey on Sunday, authorities said.
According to local police, the crash occurred at around 11:25 a.m. when an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter collided while airborne. Only the pilots were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Video footage from the scene showed one helicopter spinning uncontrollably before crashing to the ground and bursting into flames. Emergency responders, including police and fire crews, quickly arrived at the site and extinguished the fire.
The surviving pilot was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, officials confirmed.
Witnesses reported hearing loud snapping sounds moments before both helicopters spiraled out of control. Local residents and business owners said the pilots were familiar figures in the area and were often seen flying together.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash. Aviation experts say investigators will likely focus on pilot communication and visibility, as most midair collisions result from a failure to maintain visual separation.
Weather conditions at the time were reported to be mostly cloudy, with light winds and good visibility, according to AccuWeather.
Hammonton is a small town in Atlantic County, located about 56 kilometers southeast of Philadelphia.