Pilot, photographer killed after local news helicopter crashes in New Jersey
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the news chopper crash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A local news helicopter crashed in a wooded area of Burlington County, New Jersey, on Tuesday night, killing a pilot and a photographer.
The WPVI-TV chopper went down as the news crew was returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore, the outlet reported. WPVI is the ABC affiliate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The victims were identified by the station on Wednesday as 67-year-old pilot Monroe Smith and 45-year-old photographer Christopher Dougherty.
The outlet said both victims worked at the news station for years.
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A news helicopter crashed leaving two dead in New Jersey. (WTXF)
The crash happened after 8 p.m. near Quaker Bridge Atsion Road and Mullica Hill Road in Washington Township.
The helicopter was last airborne over Wharton State Forest, the outlet reported. New Jersey State Police located the crash site on the ground.
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New Jersey State Police located the crash site on the ground. (New Jersey State Police)
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North Carolina-based U.S. Helicopters Inc. leases the helicopter, a 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350A-STAR, to WPVI-TV.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It remains unclear what caused the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.