British Student Pilot Among Three Dead in Oregon Helicopter Collision

Authorities confirmed that three people died after two helicopters collided in mid-air near a small airport in Oregon on Thursday.

According to the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, reports of the aircraft incident involving two helicopters were received at approximately 2:10 pm local time on Thursday. The crash occurred south-east of McMinnville, near the McMinnville Municipal Airport. Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott stated at a news conference that authorities located the two crashed helicopters in a private farm field.

Aircraft and Victims Involved

Sheriff Elliott confirmed that the collision involved a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS 350B3 helicopter. Two individuals were onboard the Robinson helicopter, while one person was onboard the Airbus. Authorities confirmed that all three individuals died in the crash.

• Robinson R22 Occupants: A student pilot from the United Kingdom, whose identity is pending family notification through the British consulate and the FBI, and 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo from Texas.
• Airbus AS 350B3 Occupant: 38-year-old pilot Tyler Sturdevant from Newberg, Oregon.

Investigation and Local Response

Sheriff Elliott stated that the crash site has been transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for investigation.

The FAA confirmed in a statement that a Robinson R22 helicopter and an Airbus H125 helicopter collided in mid-air near McMinnville Municipal Airport around 2:15 pm local time on Thursday, adding that the NTSB will lead the investigation. The NTSB also confirmed it is investigating the incident.

Local aviation school Jerry Trimble Helicopters, based in McMinnville, issued a statement on social media expressing deep sadness and confirming one of their aircraft was involved. The company stated it is fully cooperating with local and federal authorities to secure the site and determine the cause of the incident.