Two Helicopters Collide, Three Killed
A flight instructor and student from the Robinson R22 died alongside an Airbus pilot in a midair crash near McMinnville, Oregon.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
Three people died on Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville, Oregon. The crash occurred around 2:15 p.m. near Lafayette Highway and Southeast Stringtown Road, just southeast of McMinnville Municipal Airport.
Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott identified the victims at a news conference that evening. The Robinson R22 contained 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo, a flight instructor from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom. Officials had not yet released the student's name while they worked to notify family members. The third victim was Tyler Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, who was inside the Airbus Helicopters AS350B2.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the aircraft involved. Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a local flight training company, stated on social media that one of its planes was part of the incident. The NTSB is currently investigating the collision.
A witness standing on the roof of a nearby barn watched the two helicopters strike each other before hitting the ground outside the airport perimeter. He called 911 immediately after seeing the impact.
The crash scene remains near the airport, where local authorities have managed traffic and emergency response. The two pilots in the smaller Robinson were traveling together for training purposes, while the third man operated the larger Airbus helicopter alone.
Source: WOIO
