Pilot and photographer killed after Action News Chopper 6 crashed in Washington Township, New Jersey

I regret to inform you that two crew members that were on board of Action News Chopper 6 were killed in a crash on Tuesday night. 

A pilot and photographer were in the Chopper 6 helicopter when it crashed in Washington Township, New Jersey around 8 PM last night. Chopper 6 was returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore and was last airborne over Wharton State Forest when it crashed in a remote section of the woods.

6 ABC Website on Chopper 6 crash: 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

New Jersey State Park Police say a debris field was located shortly after midnight a few hundred yards from Mullica River Road, in the area of Middle Road and Quaker Bridge Atsion Road.

Chopper 6 was last airborne over Wharton State Forest when it crashed in a remote section of the woods.

The area is part of the New Jersey Pinelands, a million-acre wilderness area that stretches across more than seven counties and features dense woods, rivers and rare plant species.

The National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the crash site at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday and took control of the investigation. [6 ABC]

New Jersey Chief of State Park Police George Fedorczyk on Chopper 6 crash:

“Due to the remote location of the scene and the limited visibility, it was determined at that point that the investigation would be suspended until sometime after daybreak,” said Chief George Fedorczyk of the New Jersey State Park Police. “Know that our thoughts are with the pilots, their families and the media community.” [6 ABC]

National Transportation Safety Board Investigating Chopper 6 crash:

“NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment,” said spokesperson Jennifer Gabris.

The information and records the NTSB will examine include flight track data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, weather conditions, the pilot’s license and flight experience, a 72-hour background check of the pilot, witness statements, and potential information from electronic devices and any available surveillance video – including doorbell cameras.

“During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident,” Grabis said. [6 ABC]

Absolutely horrible. The first helicopter to serve as Chopper 6 has been flying around the Philadelphia area since February 1980 which at the time, was the first TV news helicopter in Philadelphia.

Prayers go out to the family of the crew members that were lost in the crash. You never want to see tragedy strike and I could imagine it’s even more of a nightmare given the fact it happened during the holiday season. Just a heartbreaking story that should never be written.

In their article, 6 ABC also noted thanked those who visited their Facebook page and shared their thoughts and prayers following the accident.

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