PHILADELPHIA, PA – A news helicopter operated by a Philadelphia-based TV station crashed in New Jersey on Tuesday night, tragically claiming the lives of two journalists onboard. The chopper, known as Chopper 6 from 6ABC, came down near Mullica River Road in the Wharton State Forest in Burlington County around 8 p.m., plunging the Channel 6 news team into mourning. The site of the crash was within a secluded part of the expansive forest.
The victims included the pilot and a photographer, both of whom had been with Action News team of 6ABC for several years, the station disclosed on Wednesday morning. The identities of the crew members have not yet been released as their families are still being notified.
As the accident happened late at night and the location is remote and dark, the investigation team decided to suspend the probe until after daybreak, according to New Jersey State Park Police Chief George Fedorczyk.
The helicopter is a leased asset from U.S. Helicopters Inc., a North Carolina-based company, 6ABC reported. Flight data reveals that the aircraft, an American Eurocopter AS350-B2 according to the NTSB, had flown from Northeast Airport to New Jersey towards the Jersey Shore and was heading back before the incident. It was circling the state forest before crashing while returning from coverage near the Jersey Shore.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated an initial assessment at around 3:15 a.m. after the debris field was discovered by a state park police officer after midnight. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to lead the full investigation. The NTSB has promised a preliminary report within a month and stated that its investigation revolves around three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.