Three people have been killed following a midair collision between two helicopters near an Oregon airport Thursday afternoon. The crash, which occurred in a field about one mile west of Dayton, prompted an immediate emergency response and the closure of a nearby highway.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 helicopter collided at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time in the vicinity of the McMinnville Municipal Airport.
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that there were no survivors. The victims aboard the Robinson R22 were identified as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, of Texas, and a student pilot visiting from the United Kingdom. Authorities are withholding the student’s identity pending formal notification of next of kin. The Airbus H125 was occupied by a single pilot, identified as 38-year-old Tyler Delane Sturdevant of Newberg, Oregon.
The collision took place in a field situated off Oregon Route 233. Following the crash, the Oregon Department of Transportation ordered the closure of the highway and several local county roads to allow emergency crews to access the scene. As of Thursday evening, officials stated there was no estimated time for the roadways to reopen.
Despite the proximity to the crash site, McMinnville Airport Manager John Paskell reported that the incident occurred off airport property and did not disrupt normal aviation operations. Paskell noted that both aircraft were based at the facility, though he could not comment on the nature of their flights or the events leading up to the impact.
“The airport remains open without any closures or restrictions at this time,” Paskell confirmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA have arrived at the scene and have assumed control of the investigation. Federal investigators will work to determine the cause of the collision, including examining flight patterns and mechanical logs for both aircraft. As of Thursday night, neither the NTSB nor local law enforcement had provided further details regarding the circumstances of the incident.
The crash serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with general aviation. Local authorities continue to ask the public to avoid the area near Oregon Route 233 while recovery operations and preliminary investigations by federal agencies remain ongoing.
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