This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N520H
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N280MG
- History of Flight:
On December 28, 2025, at about 1125 local time, an Enstrom F-28A, N520H, registered to a private individual out of Carneys Point, New Jersey, and an Enstrom 280C Shark, N280MG, registered to M&M Charter LLC out of Mountville, Pennsylvania, were both destroyed when they were involved in a mid-air collision in Hammonton, New Jersey. The The sole pilot onboard each helicopter sustained fatal injuries.
Both pilots were known to each other and locals. They flew together on weekly bases.
According to flight-tracking history, on the day of the accident, at about 0950 LT, the 280C departed Vineland–Downstown Airport (28N) Vineland, New Jersey, and proceeded northeast towards Hammonton Municipal Airport (N81), Hammonton, New Jersey. The flight lasted 7-8 minutes. At 1124 LT, the 280C was observed departing N81 and proceeding southwest before it disappeared from coverage. Only two data points were recorded, one at 1124:39, and the second at 1124:56. The second data point showed the helicopter at 600 ft, 65 knots groundspeed, a vertical rate of 250 feet per minute (fpm), and on a heading of 231.9°.
According to the same flight-tracking history, the F-28A departed Vineland at 0950 LT (same time as the 280C) and proceeded northeast towards N81 along with the first helicopter. Unlike the first helicopter, at 1125:04, the F-28A was observed at 650 ft, an unknown groundspeed value and vertical rate, and on an unknown track heading, and in the general vicinity of the 280C.
- Pilot Information:
The F-28A pilot, aged 65, held a private pilot certificate (issued/updated 6/8/2014) with an airplane single engine land rating and a rotorcraft/helicopter rating. His third class FAA medical was issued on October 2024, with a note that he must wear corrective lenses to meet vision standards at all required distances.
The 280C Shark pilot, aged 71, held a private pilot certificate (issued/updated 1/5/2014) with a rotorcraft/helicopter rating. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 8/19/2025.
- Aircraft Information:
The first helicopter, serial number 325, was manufactured in 1975. It was a three-seat helicopter powered by a Lycoming O-360 engine.
The second helicopter, serial number 1135, was manufacutred in 1978. It was a three-seat, single-engine helicopter and featured a three-bladed MR system that was powered by a turbo-charged Lycoming HIO360-E1AD engine rated at 190 horsepower at 2900 rpm.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
(1) F-28A:
The F-28A came to rest upright and was not consumed by a post crash fire. The wreckage was mostly intact, but sustained heavy impact damage. The main rotor blade assembly and tail rotor remained attached to the helicopter following the collision. The tail rotor separated on ground impact.
Figure: N520H Wreckage
(2) 280C Shark:
The 280C Shark came to rest inverted and was consumed and destroyed by a post crash fire.
Figure: 280C Shark Wreckage
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
The reported weather conditions at the nearest weather observation facility, KACY. At 1054 local time, included: winds from 190 at 4 knots, 10 miles surface visibility, 1600 ft above ground level (agl) overcast ceiling, temperature 2°C, dew point -3°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.20.
(2) METARs:
METAR KACY 281554Z 19004KT 10SM OVC016 02/M03 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP226 T00171028 $
METAR KACY 281641Z 25004KT 10SM OVC014 02/M02 A3018 RMK AO2 T00221017 $
(3) Sun and Moon Data:
The sun’s position at the time of the accident was about 27° over the horizon on an azimuth of 172° S, and the the Moon was 7 degrees under the horizon on an azimuth of 71° ENE. The official Meridian occurred at 1200 LT.
(4) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
630 AM EST Sun Dec 28 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure over the Northeast slides offshore later today. A
warm front extending out from low pressure moving into the
Great Lakes will lift north through the region tonight, followed
by a strong cold front Monday afternoon. High pressure briefly
returns on Wednesday, then several weak cold fronts will pass
through the region into the end of the week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Northwesterly flow aloft will continue to overspread the region
through today, gradually weakening with rising heights as a
ridge axis initially centered over portions of the Ohio Valley
shifts eastward into our area. Tonight, rapid height falls and
enhanced southwesterly flow aloft will begin to overspread the
region ahead of a strong upper-trough approaching the region. At
the surface, high pressure initially centered over the Mid-
Atlantic will gradually shift east through the day as low
pressure initially over the Midwest shifts east into the Great
Lakes. A warm front will lift through the region overnight
tonight.
High clouds will continue to overspread the region into this
morning, with low clouds working in from west to east this
afternoon. The combination of background ascent from the
approaching trough and additional lift from the approaching warm
front will lead to light precipitation overspreading the
northern half or so of the area beginning during the mid to late
afternoon hours. Precipitation chances will be greatest along
and north of I-78 (60-80%), and decrease as you go south from
there. There will only be a 20-40% chance of a few showers for
the Philly metro and south. Temperatures look to top out in the
mid 30s to near 40 northwest of I-95, and the low-mid 40s
southeast, with southern portions of the Delmarva and far
southern NJ potentially approaching or breaching 50.
As light precipitation overspreads the area, temperatures this
evening into the first part of the night look to be near or
below freezing across northern areas. Forecast soundings
indicate this below freezing surface layer will be quite
shallow, with a significant warm nose aloft. Therefore,
precipitation type looks to be either freezing rain or rain
depending on surface temperatures. Confidence is high that
portions of the Lehigh Valley northward into the Poconos and
adjacent areas of northern NJ will experience a period of
freezing rain during the evening and into the early overnight
hours. Outside of these areas, temperatures should be above
freezing for the duration of any precipitation, so rain is
expected. Overall precipitation amounts look light, but for
areas that see freezing rain, hazardous travel conditions are
expected.
In terms of ice amounts, confidence has increased enough in a
glaze of ice for Lehigh and Northampton Counties in PA and
Warren and Morris Counties in NJ to expand the areal coverage of
the Winter Weather Advisory to include them. For Carbon and
Monroe Counties in PA, amounts have trended up slightly, and we
now anticipate many locations to see a tenth to perhaps two
tenths of an inch of ice accretion. The primary forecast
challenge with this event is that temperatures will bottom out
early in the evening and begin to rise from there as warm air
advection begins with the approaching warm front. The areal
extent of below freezing surface temperatures during the evening
and overnight hours remains somewhat in question. A brief
period of light freezing rain is not entirely out of the
question for areas south of the current advisory, but if this
were to occur it would likely be quite brief with marginal and
rising temperatures.
As the warm front lifts through the area during the overnight
hours, temperatures will rise areawide. Temperatures are likely
to rise above freezing areawide during the pre-dawn hours. Any
remaining light freezing rain will change to plain rain during
this time. There will likely be a brief period where the
majority of the region is precipitation-free prior to daybreak
Monday.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Warm front will be well north of the area Monday morning,
resulting in the area being in the warm sector ahead of the
approaching cold front. Low pressure passes north of the area,
and this will drag that cold front through the region Monday
afternoon. There should be a lull in the precipitation early in
the morning, then showers develop in the late morning ahead of
the approaching cold front and then taper off from west to east
in the afternoon with the passage of the cold front.
Temperatures ahead of the cold front will warm into the upper
40s in the southern Poconos, and in the low to mid 50s north and
west of the Fall Line, and in the mid to upper 50s in the
Delaware Valley and southern New Jersey and in the low 60s in
Delmarva.
CAPE values will be minimal ahead of the front, but 0-6 km Bulk
Shear values will be 60-70 kt. Cannot rule out a rumble of
thunder or some showers producing wind gusts up to 50 mph with
the passage of the front.
The pressure gradient tightens ahead of the cold front, and
south to southwest winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph with
gusts up to 30 mph in the morning, then behind the front, winds
turn west to northwest with gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon.
The strongest winds develop Monday night and Tuesday, generally
at 20 to 30 mph with 35 to 45 mph gusts. Gusts will be as high
as 50 mph in Carbon and Monroe counties, where a Wind Advisory
may be needed. If wind gusts continue to trend higher, a Wind
Advisory may be needed for at least southeast Pennsylvania and
New Jersey.
Temperatures Monday night drop into the teens in the southern
Poconos and mid and upper 20s elsewhere with single digit to low
teens wind chills. One thing to watch out for is the potential
for untreated wet surfaces to freeze Monday night. Winds should
be strong enough to dry the roads out before temperatures drop
below freezing, but it still may be a concern.
Winds diminish late Tuesday and Tuesday night. Dry and cold
with highs in the low to mid 30s Tuesday and lows in the 20s
Tuesday night.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Overall, the Long Term period will feature below normal
temperatures. Several cold fronts will pass through the region,
with reinforcing cold air moving into the region. The first cold
front will pass through the region Wednesday night through
Thursday, followed by another one Friday night through Saturday.
Some light snow is possible with the passage of each front, but
significant widespread accumulations are not expected.
Highs will mostly be in the 30s with lows mostly in the 20s,
except for Friday night when lows could be in the teens.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG,
KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.
Today...A mix of VFR and MVFR to start, with ceilings lowering
to prevailing MVFR 16-21Z. Light rain expected after 19-21Z for
KRDG and KABE. A few showers possible for the I-95 terminals
after 20Z, though the chance is only 20-30%. Wind generally
south- southeast around 5 kt. Moderate confidence.
Tonight...IFR ceilings expected. Light rain could linger until
around 02-03Z for KRDG and KABE. There is around a 20% chance
for FZRA at KABE and less than a 20% for KRDG. South wind 5-10
kt. LLWS is possible at all terminals between 06-12Z. Moderate
confidence.
Outlook...
Monday...Sub-VFR in SHRA through early afternoon. SW winds 10
to 15 kt with 20 to 25 kt gusts, turning W in the afternoon and
increasing to 15 to 20 kt with 30 to 35 kt gusts.
Monday night through Tuesday...VFR. W-NW winds 20 to 30 kt with
35 to 40 kt gusts.
Tuesday night...VFR with diminishing winds.
Wednesday...VFR.
Wednesday night through Thursday...Sub-VFR possible in light
SN.
&&
.MARINE...
Northwest winds over the ocean waters have diminished to 10-15
kt, with seas diminishing to just under 5 feet. Given this, have
cancelled the Small Craft Advisory for New Jersey and Delaware
Atlantic Coastal zones this morning.
Northwest winds will remain around 10-15 kt this morning,
shifting to southwesterly this afternoon. Overnight tonight,
winds will again increase to 15-20 kt, with gusts to 25-30 kt.
Seas 2-4 feet today will increase to 4-7 feet tonight. A Small
Craft Advisory has been issued and will be in effect starting at
1 AM for all Atlantic Coastal waters as well as the Delaware
Bay.
Outlook...
Monday...SCA conditions in the morning, then gales develop in
the afternoon. Winds abruptly shift from SW to W-NW behind the
passage of a cold front in the afternoon. VSBY restrictions in
showers. A stray thunderstorm possible in the afternoon.
Monday night through Tuesday...Gale force winds expected.
Tuesday night through Wednesday...SCA conditions likely.
Thursday...Generally sub-SCA conditions.
&&
.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 2 AM EST
Monday for PAZ061-062.
Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST
Monday for PAZ054-055.
NJ...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 2 AM EST
Monday for NJZ001-007-008.
DE...None.
MD...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM to 6 AM EST Monday for ANZ430-
431-450>455.
Gale Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon for
ANZ430-431-450>455.- Additional Information:
No.
