A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday night in New Jersey, resulting in the loss of a Philadelphia news pilot and photographer. The unfortunate event unfolded when Chopper 6, the helicopter belonging to Action News, crashed in the wooded expanse of Wharton State Forest near Hammonton around 8 p.m.
The seven-seat aircraft, which was occupied solely by the pilot and photographer, met with this tragic fate while returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore. New Jersey State Police discovered the wreckage in the extensive 122,880-acre Wharton State Forest, equivalent to 192 square miles. The location, situated off Mullica River Road, posed considerable challenges for access due to its deep-seated position within the forest, as reported by the authorities.
Situated within the Pinelands, which constitute a vast 1.1 million-acre (1,718-square-mile) ecosystem encompassing 22 percent of New Jersey, the Wharton State Forest holds the distinction of being the state’s largest.
The crash site, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia, became the focus of attention as videos from both ground and aerial perspectives depicted flames emanating from the wreckage. Investigative efforts unfolded as teams sifted through the debris of the aircraft.
At the time of reporting, the identities of the photographer and pilot remained undisclosed, as authorities were in the process of notifying their families about the tragic crash. However, the news outlet described both individuals as “veterans” in their respective roles.
The news station extensively utilized the helicopter for various purposes, including coverage of weather, traffic, and significant news stories. The aircraft in question, a 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350A-STAR, was leased by WPVI from US Helicopters Inc., based in North Carolina. Its last recorded sighting in the air was at 8:03 p.m. over the state forest, as indicated by FlightAware.
Authorities, specifically the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine its cause.
