Tragedy Strikes Near McMinnville Airport

OREGON — A devastating mid-air collision between two helicopters near a small airport in southwestern Oregon has left three people dead and prompted closures of local highways, local authorities confirmed.

The fatal crash occurred Thursday afternoon in a farm field just a few miles east of the McMinnville Airport. Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott identified the victims as 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo, a flight instructor from Texas; 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant, an Oregon-based pilot; and a student pilot from the United Kingdom whose identity is being withheld pending family notification.

Emergency services received distress calls reporting the crash at approximately 2:15 p.m. First responders rushed to the scene, where recovery operations continued well into the evening hours.

Aircraft Involved in the Incident

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision involved a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125. Yamhill County officials stated that two individuals were on board the Robinson R22, while the Airbus H125 was carrying only the pilot at the time of the impact.

Photographs released by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office depicted the aftermath of the disaster, showing a green helicopter resting upside down in a heavily churned farm field alongside the shattered, crumpled remains of the second aircraft.

One of the involved aircraft was operated by Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a prominent aviation training school situated on the grounds of McMinnville Airport.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event," the flight school said in an official statement shared via social media. The institution confirmed it is fully cooperating with local law enforcement, the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to secure the perimeter and assist in determining the precise sequence of events leading to the collision.

Investigation and Local Impact

The Oregon Department of Transportation enforced emergency road closures, shutting down Highway 233 approximately one mile west of Dayton. Local authorities have strongly urged civilians and onlookers to stay clear of the restricted area to allow emergency responders and federal investigators unhindered access.

Both the FAA and the NTSB have launched a comprehensive joint investigation to ascertain the cause of the mid-air impact. Officials have not yet released a preliminary timeline for when the investigative findings will be made public or when the affected roadways will reopen to normal traffic.