Two Pilots Killed in Hammonton Midair Helicopter Collision Were Known for Weekly Breakfast Ritual Near Airport

HAMMONTON, N.J. — Two helicopter pilots who were familiar faces at Hammonton Municipal Airport — and regulars at a nearby café where they frequently met for breakfast — were killed Sunday after their aircraft collided midair and crashed in a farm field near the airport, authorities said.

Hammonton police said rescue crews responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. The Federal Aviation Administration described the incident as a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C helicopter near Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81), with only the pilots aboard.

Authorities identified the pilots as Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and Kenneth Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, who later died after being transported to a hospital, police said.

Regulars at Apron Café

Aviation community members and patrons at the Apron Café next to the airport said the two men were well known locally. Café owner Sal Silipino told reporters the pilots were regular customers who came in “every week or every other week” and had breakfast shortly before taking off.

What witnesses reported

Witnesses told police the helicopters appeared to be flying close together shortly before the collision. Video from the scene shows at least one helicopter spinning rapidly before hitting the ground, and police and fire crews later extinguished flames that engulfed one of the aircraft, according to authorities.

Federal investigation underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are investigating. The NTSB said investigators documented a debris field of roughly 100 yards and expect a preliminary report in about 30 days, though a full investigation can take months.

Hammonton Municipal is a non-towered airport, meaning pilots coordinate traffic via radio and see-and-avoid procedures rather than guidance from an air traffic control tower — an issue investigators often examine in midair collision cases.

Here at GSG, we don’t put sugar in our coffee.