Two Helicopters Collide Near McMinnville Airport, Killing Three

Three people died when two helicopters collided in mid-air on Thursday afternoon near McMinnville Municipal Airport. The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident at 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of Lafayette Highway and Southeast Stringtown Road. The crash site lies just outside the airport perimeter, southeast of the city of McMinnville.

The National Transportation Safety Board identified the aircraft as an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 and a Robinson R22. Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a local flight training company, confirmed on social media that one of its aircraft was involved. The Robinson R22 carried two occupants, while the Airbus contained a third victim.

Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott held a news conference Thursday evening to identify two of the three victims. He named Maddie Aasbo, a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, and Tyler Sturdevant, a 38-year-old resident of Newberg. Sturdevant was piloting the Airbus. Elliott stated that a student pilot from the United Kingdom was also in the Robinson. Officials have not released the student’s name while they work to notify family members.

A witness standing on the roof of a nearby barn watched the two helicopters strike each other before hitting the ground. The witness said he called 911 immediately after seeing the impact. Local authorities closed the area to allow emergency crews to secure the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the collision. The agency is reviewing flight data and interviewing witnesses to determine the cause of the mid-air strike. Local officials confirmed the investigation is active and ongoing.

Road closures near Lafayette Highway remained in place as crews cleared the area. The airport remained closed to traffic following the crash. No further details were provided regarding the specific flight plans of the two helicopters.