Three people lost their lives Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided midair and crashed into a private farm field in northwestern Oregon, local law enforcement officials confirmed.
The fatal incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time near McMinnville Municipal Airport, situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Portland. Emergency responders arriving at the scene located the wreckage scattered across a rural agricultural property.
Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott detailed the casualties during a Thursday evening press conference, identifying the aircraft involved as a Robinson R-22 and an Airbus AS350, according to federal transportation officials.
One of the downed aircraft was carrying two individuals: 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo, a flight instructor from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom whose identity was withheld pending family notification. The second helicopter was operated by a lone occupant, identified by the sheriff’s office as 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant of Newberg, Oregon.
Jerry Trimble Helicopters issued a formal statement confirming that one of its aircraft was involved in the tragedy. The company operates as a flight training school and private rental service.
“Jerry Trimble Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft was involved in an aviation incident this afternoon,” the company stated, adding that its thoughts are with the families and everyone affected. Representatives confirmed the business is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Federal aviation authorities confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the inquiry into the cause of the collision, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigators from both agencies arrived at the crash site Thursday night.
In the wake of the disaster, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office urged members of the public to steer clear of the crash zone and requested patience from the community while emergency services and federal investigators complete their work at the scene.
