A midair collision between a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon resulted in three fatalities on Thursday afternoon. Both aircraft subsequently crashed in a field adjacent to a highway in the area.
The identified victims included a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas and a student pilot from the United Kingdom who were occupants of one helicopter. The other aircraft carried a sole occupant who was also killed in the incident. Authorities have identified the flight instructor as Maddie Aasbo and the other pilot as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon. The student pilot’s identity has not been publicly released as officials coordinate with the consulate and the FBI to notify next of kin.
One of the helicopters involved was operated by Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training school based at McMinnville Municipal Airport. The company released a statement expressing sadness over the incident and confirming full cooperation with investigators.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have assumed lead responsibility for determining the circumstances that led to the accident. Authorities advised the public to avoid the area as emergency response and investigative operations continued.
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