Three killed in midair helicopter collision in Oregon

Two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, killing all three people on board. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. on a cloudy day, just east of the local airport. The aircraft crashed into a farm field, ending the lives of an experienced pilot, a flight instructor, and a student.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed a team was en route to the site to examine the wreckage. Law enforcement photos showed a red helicopter lying crumpled in the field. A green helicopter came to rest upside down nearby. The crash involved a smaller Robinson R22 and a larger Airbus AS350B3.

According to the NTSB, the R22 was conducting an instructional flight. The AS350B3 was on a maintenance flight, a routine procedure performed after repairs. Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott identified the victims during a news conference on Friday.

The deceased include 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant of Oregon, 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo of Texas, and a 31-year-old student pilot from the United Kingdom. The student's name had not been released as of Friday. Sturdevant served as a pilot examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration for four years before joining Precision, where he worked for more than 20 years.

Leo Rodriguez was repairing a barn roof at his family winery when the collision occurred. He described an explosion in the air followed by the tail of the larger helicopter being struck. The aircraft turned and descended toward the ground. The other helicopter fell straight down. Rodriguez stated the event happened with very little warning.

Owners of the aircraft, Jerry Trimble Helicopters and Precision, said they are cooperating with authorities. Precision, a charter and maintenance company, described Sturdevant as a beloved senior pilot who mentored many others. The company noted his impact on the pilots he helped train. Jerry Trimble offers training ranging from introductory demo flights to advanced instruction.