Two helicopters collide near McMinnville, Oregon, killing flight instructor, UK student pilot and third pilot
A Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 collided over Yamhill County, Oregon, on Thursday, killing all three aboard, including a student pilot from the UK.
At a glance
- A Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 collided at about 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, a few miles east of McMinnville Airport, Oregon.
- All three people aboard died: instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, an unnamed student pilot from the UK, and pilot Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38.
- Both helicopters came down in a farm field, closing Highway 233 about a mile west of Dayton.
- The FAA and NTSB are investigating; no cause has been given.
Two helicopters collided in the air over Yamhill County, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, killing all three people aboard: a 22-year-old flight instructor, her student from the United Kingdom, and a 38-year-old pilot flying alone in the other aircraft. Both came down in a farm field a few miles east of McMinnville Airport, about 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Portland.
Emergency crews were called at about 2:15 p.m. local time on October 29. The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office asked the public to stay away, and recovery work was still going on that evening.
Who was in each helicopter
Federal aviation officials identified the aircraft as a two-seat Robinson R22, a common training helicopter, and an Airbus H125, which can carry up to six passengers depending on how it is fitted out.
| Aircraft | On board | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson R22 | Maddie Aasbo, 22 | Flight instructor from Texas |
| Robinson R22 | Student pilot, name not released | From the United Kingdom |
| Airbus H125 | Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38 | Pilot from Newberg, Oregon, alone on board |
Sheriff Sam Elliott gave details of the victims at a news conference. Authorities are working with the British consulate and the FBI to notify the student's next of kin, which is why the name has been held back.
No injuries on the ground were reported. Photographs from the scene showed a green helicopter upside down in the field and a red one broken into pieces.
What the flight school said
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight school based at McMinnville Airport, said one of its aircraft was involved. It said it was deeply saddened, was cooperating with authorities, and that its thoughts were with the families and everyone affected. The school offers everything from demonstration flights to advanced training. Last year it posted a photograph celebrating Aasbo as a new private pilot heading into instrument training.
Officials have not said publicly which of the two helicopters belonged to the school. According to reports, the Airbus was on a maintenance flight at the time.
What investigators will look at
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the inquiry. Neither has given a cause. Mid-air collisions near smaller airports are usually examined for who could see whom: the pilots' radio calls, the flight paths of each aircraft, the weather and light, and whether either helicopter carried traffic-alert equipment. The NTSB normally publishes a preliminary report within a few weeks, with a final finding often taking a year or more.
McMinnville is a city of about 34,000 people. Its airport covers 650 acres, has two paved runways, and is close to the North American Aerospace Museum and some residential streets. It stayed open after the crash.
Road closures for local drivers
The Oregon Department of Transportation closed Highway 233 about one mile (1.6 km) west of Dayton, and local roads around the field were also shut. No reopening time had been announced. Drivers between McMinnville and Dayton should check the state's road reports before setting out while investigators remain at the scene.
