Midair collision kills three near Oregon airport
Two helicopters crashed in a field near McMinnville on Thursday, killing a flight instructor, a student pilot, and a local resident.
By Samira Khalil ·
Three people died on Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon.
Officials confirmed the victims were a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, a student pilot from the United Kingdom, and a 38-year-old resident of Newberg, Oregon. The instructor, Maddie Aasbo, and the student pilot were aboard a Robinson R22. Tyler Delane Sturdevant was the sole occupant of the second aircraft, an Airbus helicopter. Both planes crashed into a field next to a highway.
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training school based at the airport, stated in a release that one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. The company said it is fully cooperating with investigators and expressed sadness over the loss of life.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation into what caused the collision. Authorities have not yet determined the specific cause of the crash. The student pilot from the United Kingdom has not been publicly named while officials work with the consulate and the FBI to notify next of kin.
The BBC contacted the FAA for comment following the incident. Local authorities asked the public to avoid the area as emergency crews responded to the scene.
Source: Casualty
