Two Helicopters Collide Midair Near Oregon Airport, FAA Confirms
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that two helicopters, carrying a total of three people, collided near McMinnville Municipal Airport, leading to highway closures.
Two helicopters carrying a combined total of three individuals collided in midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft crashed in a field, prompting authorities to close a nearby highway.
The incident involved a Robinson R22 helicopter, which had a single pilot aboard, and an Airbus H125 helicopter with two people on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The collision occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time in a field approximately one mile west of Dayton, off Oregon Route 233. The Oregon Department of Transportation confirmed that Oregon Route 233 and some adjacent county roads were closed at the request of emergency responders, with no estimated time for reopening.
McMinnville Airport Manager John Paskell stated that the collision happened off airport property and did not impact airport operations, which continued without disruption. Paskell indicated that both helicopters were believed to be based at the airport but could not confirm their specific activities or the cause of the collision.
The FAA has announced it will investigate the incident in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will lead the investigation and provide further updates. The FAA noted that the information available is preliminary and subject to change.
Information regarding potential injuries or fatalities was not immediately available, leaving the conditions of the three people aboard the aircraft unclear.