A mid-air collision between two helicopters near McMinnville Municipal Airport in northwest Oregon on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. local time resulted in the deaths of all three occupants, authorities confirmed. The crash occurred in a privately owned farm field southeast of the airport, prompting an immediate response from emergency services and the closure of nearby Highway 233.
Immediate Response and Victim Identification
Emergency responders, including local law enforcement, firefighters, and medical personnel, arrived at the scene shortly after the collision. The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo, a flight instructor from Texas; 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant, a pilot from Oregon; and an unnamed student pilot from the United Kingdom. Aasbo and the U.K. student were aboard a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter, while Sturdevant was the sole occupant of a 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter, according to preliminary reports.
Aviation School Confirms Involvement
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, an aviation school and private helicopter rental service based at McMinnville Municipal Airport, confirmed that one of its aircraft—a Robinson R22—was involved in the incident. The company issued a statement expressing deep sadness and extending condolences to the families of the victims. “Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event,” the statement read.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the collision. The NTSB is responsible for determining the cause of the crash, while the FAA is conducting a parallel review. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area as recovery efforts continue.
Scene and Witness Accounts
Photographs from the scene showed one helicopter smashed upside down in the field, while the other was heavily damaged. A witness told local media they observed the collision from a nearby barn and immediately called 911. The Oregon Department of Transportation closed a portion of Highway 233 as authorities secured the site.
Background on the Aircraft
The Robinson R22 is a two-seat helicopter commonly used for flight training, while the Airbus AS350 B3 is a larger, more advanced rotorcraft. Both aircraft are widely used in commercial and private aviation sectors. The NTSB has not yet released further details about the collision’s cause.