Pilot and Photographer Killed when “Chopper 6” Crashes in Wharton State Forest

December 20, 2023

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON), — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Press Office reported that New Jersey State Park Police were dispatched at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, for a report of a missing helicopter in the area of Wharton State Forest. Following a search, State Park Police discovered a debris field from a helicopter crash in the area of Mullica River Road in Washington Township, Burlington County, at 12:02 a.m. today.

Federal Aviation Administration representatives arrived at the scene at 3:15 a.m. today for an initial assessment. Due to the remote area and limited visibility, it was determined that an investigation will be suspended until sometime after daybreak today. At this time the scene is being secured by State Park Police with the assistance of the NJDEP Forest Fire Service, New Jersey State Police and Hammonton Township Police.

Quaker Bridge Road, Mullica River Road and Middle Road – all unpaved local roads within the forest – are closed at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been contacted and will assume responsibilities for investigating the crash. All other questions about the incident and its cause should be directed to the NTSB.

According to both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware the helicopter went down at 8:03 p.m. EST on December 19, 2023.

WPVI Channel 6 Action News reported that a pilot and a photographer were on board the helicopter when it went down in Washington Township, New Jersey around 8 p.m. They were returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore.

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

It has been a devastating day for the Action News team after two crew members on board Chopper 6 were killed in a crash on Tuesday night.

They have a long history with our station and have been working as part of the Action News team for years.

The pilot was 67-year-old Monroe Smith of Glenside, Pa. and the photographer was 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty of Oreland, Pa.

Pilot, photographer killed after Action News’ Chopper 6 crashes in wooded area of New Jersey

Midjersey.news extends our condolences to our colleagues at Channel 6 on loss of their Action News team members in a helicopter crash in South Jersey last night. We are praying and thinking of you during this difficult time.

The NTSB is investigating the Dec. 19 crash of an American Eurocopter AS350-B2 near Shamong, New Jersey. An NTSB investigator is currently traveling to the scene and is expected to be on site tomorrow morning. The scene will be secured overnight. There was a post impact fire that has been extinguished. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.

As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records: • Flight track data • Recordings of any air traffic control communications • Aircraft maintenance records • Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident • Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience • 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safety operate the flight • Witness statements • Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation • Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras

During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident. A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our investigations database. We will also tweet the link on NTSB Newsroom. The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months. Additional information about NTSB investigative processes is available at Media Resources (ntsb.gov).