Three Killed in Midair Helicopter Collision Near McMinnville
Sandego.net – Three people were killed Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in the air near McMinnville Municipal Airport in northwest Oregon, with wreckage later located in a private farm field.
The crash occurred at about 2:15 p.m. local time in a rural area near the airport, which serves the McMinnville community roughly 40 miles southwest of Portland. Emergency crews responded to the field after the aircraft came down, and the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office asked residents to stay away while responders handled the scene.
Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott identified two people who died in the collision: 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo of Texas and 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant of Newberg, Oregon. Aasbo was aboard one helicopter with a student pilot from the United Kingdom. The student pilot’s identity was not released while family notification continued.
Sturdevant was alone in the second helicopter, the sheriff said during an evening news conference.
Two Different Helicopter Models Involved
The National Transportation Safety Board identified the aircraft as a Robinson R-22 and an Airbus AS350. Both the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are examining the accident, and investigators from both agencies were at the location Thursday night.
Federal aviation investigations typically focus on establishing a detailed sequence of events, including the aircrafts’ operating histories, flight paths, weather conditions, communications, maintenance records and the experience of those involved. It can take considerable time for investigators to determine why an accident occurred. Initial findings often establish only basic facts, while a final report may not be completed for months or longer.
The area around McMinnville Municipal Airport includes open agricultural land and rural roads, meaning emergency operations can require both airspace coordination and public cooperation on the ground. Authorities urged people to avoid the vicinity as the investigation and recovery work continued.
“Jerry Trimble Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft was involved in an aviation incident this afternoon,” the company said.
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight-training school and private-flight rental service, said one of its aircraft was involved. The company said it was working with investigators and expressed sympathy for those affected by the crash.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event.”
Investigation Will Examine Events Before the Crash
The collision happened near an airport environment, where helicopters and other aircraft may be arriving, departing or conducting training activity. Investigators will work to establish the precise positions and movements of both helicopters before impact, as well as whether any operational or environmental factors contributed.
The Robinson R-22 is a light, two-seat helicopter frequently used for pilot instruction. The Airbus AS350 is a larger helicopter design that can be configured for a range of civilian operations. The aircraft involved in Thursday’s collision had different capacities, but each was operating in the same airspace near McMinnville.
For the families of those killed, the immediate focus remains the loss of three lives. Aasbo was serving as the flight instructor in the helicopter carrying the student pilot, while Sturdevant was the sole person aboard the other aircraft. The name of the British student pilot will be released only after the notification process is complete.
The sheriff’s office described the response as a critical incident and asked the public for patience while crews continued their work. Access restrictions can help protect first responders, preserve evidence and allow investigators to document the scene without interruption.
No cause has been announced. The NTSB is leading the investigation, with the FAA also conducting its own examination of the incident. Further details are expected as investigators review evidence from the crash site and gather information about the flights.
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