Two helicopters collide midair in South Jersey, one person killed

A terrifying scene unfolded in the skies over South Jersey Sunday morning when two helicopters collided midair and crashed near Hammonton.

(NBC)- A terrifying scene unfolded in the skies over South Jersey  Sunday morning when two helicopters collided midair and crashed near Hammonton.

Emergency crews were dispatched around 11:30 a.m. to the area of 100 Basin Road, after reports of multiple aircraft going down. Authorities say both helicopters crashed into a field near Hammonton. One of the aircraft was engulfed in flames following the impact. Witness video shows thick black smoke rising into the air as emergency crews rushed to extinguish the fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the aircraft involved were an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter. Only the pilots were on board each aircraft at the time of the collision.

A spokesperson for the Hammonton municipal government confirmed one person was killed in the crash. The second pilot was transported to a hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. Officials say both helicopters had taken off from Hammonton Municipal Airport just moments before the collision.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.