Three killed after helicopters collide in midair near Oregon airport - USA Today
Two helicopters collided in midair near a small airport in Oregon on the afternoon of Oct. 29, killing all three people aboard and closing a nearby highway as emergency crews responded to the crash scene.
The collision occurred at about 2:15 p.m. local time near the McMinnville Municipal Airport, southwest of Portland, Oregon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities said the helicopters crashed in a private farm field near Highway 233 and Southeast Stringtown Road in rural Dayton, a small city east of McMinnville.
During a brief news conference, Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott said the crash involved a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 helicopter. The sheriff said authorities received reports of the crash shortly after 2:10 p.m. and responded along with the McMinnville Police Department, Oregon State Police, fire crews and emergency medical personnel.
The FAA initially reported that only the pilot was aboard the Robinson helicopter and that two people were aboard the Airbus. Elliott later said preliminary information from responding personnel indicated there were two occupants in the Robinson helicopter and one occupant in the Airbus.
Elliott identified the occupants of the Robinson helicopter as Maddie Aasbo, a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom. Authorities are withholding the student's name while working through the consulate and the FBI to notify family members.
The sole occupant of the Airbus was identified as 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant, of nearby Newberg, Oregon, according to the sheriff.
The crash scene has been turned over to the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, which will lead the investigation into the crash, Elliott said.
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training company, said one of its aircraft was involved in the crash and that it was cooperating with local and federal authorities investigating the collision.
"Jerry Trimble Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft was involved in an aviation incident this afternoon, October 29, 2026, near McMinnville Municipal Airport," the company said in a statement on social media. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event."
The sheriff's office said roadways around the crash site were closed and asked residents to "keep clear of the area." The Oregon Department of Transportation said Oregon Route 233 was closed about one mile west of Dayton near the McMinnville Airport because of the crash.
Transportation officials warned the closure could be extended and urged motorists to use alternate routes while emergency responders worked in the area.
McMinnville is a city of about 34,000 people located roughly 40 miles southwest of Portland.
