Three people died Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the collision involved a Robinson R22 helicopter and an Airbus H125 helicopter.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated the crash occurred around 2:10 p.m. local time. The Airbus helicopter, an AS350B2, was operating on a maintenance flight, while the Robinson R22 Beta was conducting an instructional flight.
The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office confirmed that all three individuals aboard both aircraft perished in the incident. The victims were identified as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo of Texas, 31-year-old student pilot Christopher James Joughin from the United Kingdom, and 38-year-old Tyler Delane Sturdevant, the sole occupant of the Airbus helicopter, who was from Newberg, Oregon.
The collision took place in a field approximately one mile west of Dayton, off Oregon Route 233. In response to the crash, the Oregon Department of Transportation requested the closure of the highway and nearby county roads, with no estimated time for reopening.
McMinnville Airport Manager John Paskell noted that the crash occurred off airport property and did not impact airport operations. While both helicopters were reportedly based at the airport, Paskell could not confirm their activities or the cause of the collision.
The FAA and NTSB are leading the investigation. NTSB investigators have traveled to the crash site to document the wreckage before its recovery for further examination. The agency is seeking information from the public via [email protected].
Investigators will review factors including flight tracking data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, weather conditions, and pilot experience. They will also examine witness statements and any available video footage.
The NTSB anticipates releasing a preliminary report with factual findings within 30 days. A final report detailing the probable cause and contributing factors is expected within 12 to 24 months.