Lifelong Friends Die Doing What They Loved

A helicopter flying over a mountainous landscape against a blue sky

Two experienced pilots who were lifelong friends died in a tragic midair helicopter collision near a small New Jersey airport, highlighting critical safety gaps in uncontrolled airspace that puts recreational fliers at risk.

Story Snapshot

Kenneth Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71, both died after their helicopters collided near Hammonton Municipal Airport on December 28
The longtime friends had breakfast together before taking off in separate Enstrom helicopters and flying in close proximity
Witnesses saw the aircraft flying dangerously close before one spiraled to the ground in flames
The crash occurred in uncontrolled airspace where pilots must rely on “see and avoid” protocols without tower guidance

Fatal Collision Claims Two Friends

Kenneth Kirsch of Carney’s Point and Michael Greenberg of Sewell were identified as the victims of Saturday’s devastating helicopter collision near Hammonton Municipal Airport. The men, aged 65 and 71 respectively, were longtime friends who regularly shared breakfast at a local cafe owned by Sal Silipino before their final flight. Greenberg died at the crash site while Kirsch was airlifted to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Both pilots were flying Enstrom helicopters—an F-28A and an 280C model—when the collision occurred around 11:25 a.m. local time. The aircraft crashed in a farm field approximately 1.5 miles from the airport, with one helicopter bursting into flames upon impact. Local firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, but the damage was already catastrophic for both aircraft and their solo occupants.

Dangerous Proximity Flying in Uncontrolled Airspace

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel confirmed that witnesses observed the helicopters “flying close together just before the crash.” This proximity flying occurred in Class G uncontrolled airspace around the municipal airport, where no air traffic control tower exists to guide aircraft separation. Pilots must rely entirely on visual protocols and radio communication to avoid collisions—a system that clearly failed in this instance.

Witness Dan Dameshek described the horrifying sequence of events, reporting he heard “metal slapping metal” before seeing one helicopter invert and dive while the second spun out of control. The fact that these experienced pilots were flying so close together raises serious questions about recreational flying practices and the adequacy of current safety protocols at uncontrolled airports across America.

Federal Investigation Seeks Answers

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board launched immediate investigations into the collision, with NTSB investigators arriving on-site Monday. The agencies are focusing on visibility conditions, pilot communications, and flight path analysis to determine what caused this “see and avoid” failure. Aviation expert Alan Diehl, a former FAA and NTSB investigator, emphasized that determining whether the pilots saw each other will be crucial to understanding the accident.

This tragedy underscores a broader safety concern in general aviation, where approximately 10-20 midair collisions occur annually in the United States, with most happening near non-towered airports. The incident may prompt the FAA to issue new safety advisories regarding formation or proximity flying among recreational pilots, particularly at small municipal airports where federal oversight is minimal and pilot judgment is the primary safety barrier.