Three killed as two helicopters collide near McMinnville airport; sheriff identifies two victims (Oct. 29)
Updated: 6 hours ago
Updated 7:50 p.m. PT Oct. 29. The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office says all three people aboard the two helicopters died and has identified two of them. The sheriff's office says the Robinson R22 carried two people and the Airbus carried one, the reverse of what the FAA said earlier.
Quick Read
Three people died when two helicopters crashed in a field next to Highway 233 southeast of McMinnville on Thursday afternoon, the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office said.
The sheriff's office identified the people aboard a 1995 Robinson R22 as flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom whose name is being withheld until family is notified.
The sole occupant of a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 was identified as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, the sheriff's office said.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation. The cause has not been released.
ODOT closed Highway 233 (Amity-Dayton Highway) about a mile west of Dayton. Check TripCheck before driving the area.
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - Three people were killed Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, when two helicopters crashed near McMinnville Municipal Airport, the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office said. The crash closed Highway 233 west of Dayton for hours as investigators worked the scene.
What officials say
At about 2:10 p.m., witnesses reported to the Yamhill Communications Agency that two helicopters had crashed near Southeast Amity-Dayton Highway (Highway 233) and Southeast Cruickshank Road, southeast of McMinnville, according to a Yamhill County Sheriff's Office release. Deputies, McMinnville police officers and Oregon State Police troopers responded.
Responders found a 1995 Robinson R22 and a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 crashed in a field next to the highway. Medical and law enforcement personnel confirmed two people were aboard the Robinson and one was aboard the Airbus, and all three had died, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office identified the Robinson's occupants as flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. It identified the Airbus's sole occupant as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg. Sheriff Sam Elliott also discussed the crash at an evening news conference, KGW reported.
Earlier Thursday, an FAA spokesperson told OPB and other outlets that the Robinson had only a pilot aboard and the Airbus carried two people. The sheriff's office account is the reverse. The FAA and the NTSB responded to the scene and are leading the investigation, the sheriff's office said.
One of the helicopters belonged to Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight school based at McMinnville Municipal Airport, CBS News reported. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families and everyone affected by the event," the school said in a statement, according to CBS News.
What witnesses reported
A witness told KPTV FOX 12 he was standing on the roof of a nearby barn and saw the two helicopters crash into each other and then hit the ground just outside the airport's perimeter. He called 911, the station reported.
Road closures
Highway 233, the Amity-Dayton Highway, was closed about one mile west of Dayton near the airport, according to ODOT, as reported by KOIN. "This could be an extended closure. Use an alternative route," ODOT posted, according to the McMinnville News-Register. Check TripCheck for current conditions.
Officials have not said what caused the collision. Willamette News will update this story as investigators release more information.
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