Three people were killed after two helicopters collided in mid-air near McMinnville, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026. The fatal crash occurred in Yamhill County, southeast of McMinnville Municipal Airport, and prompted an emergency response involving local law enforcement and federal aviation investigators.
Authorities identified two of the victims as Maddie Aasbo, 22, a flight instructor from Texas, and Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon. The third victim was a student pilot from the United Kingdom whose identity had not been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the collision. The cause has not yet been determined.
According to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, emergency services received reports of a helicopter collision at approximately 2:10 to 2:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 29.
The incident occurred near Southeast Amity-Dayton Highway, also known as Highway 233, and Southeast Cruickshank Road, in the area southeast of McMinnville.
Witnesses reported seeing two helicopters collide before crashing into an agricultural field. Responding deputies and emergency personnel located the wreckage of both aircraft near the highway.
All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash also led to road closures as emergency crews secured the area and investigators began examining the wreckage.
Authorities identified two of the three people killed in the collision.
Maddie Aasbo, 22, was a flight instructor from Texas. She was aboard a Robinson R22 helicopter with a student pilot from the United Kingdom.
Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, was a pilot from Newberg, Oregon. He was the sole occupant of the second helicopter, according to the sheriff’s office.
The third victim was the student pilot from the United Kingdom. Officials withheld the student’s name while working to notify family members.
The collision involved two helicopters: a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter from the AS350 family.
According to information released by local authorities, the Robinson R22 was a 1995 aircraft carrying Aasbo and the student pilot. The second aircraft was identified locally as a 2018 Airbus AS350B3, with Sturdevant as its sole occupant.
One of the helicopters was associated with Jerry Trimble Helicopters, an aviation training and flight services company based at McMinnville Municipal Airport. The company confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved and said it was cooperating with investigators.
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, McMinnville Police Department, and Oregon State Police responded to the scene. Officers and deputies secured the crash area to protect evidence and support the emergency response.
The FAA and NTSB are leading the aviation investigation. Investigators are expected to document and examine the wreckage, review available flight information, and assess the circumstances surrounding the collision.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not announced a definitive cause. No conclusions about pilot actions, mechanical problems, weather, or other possible contributing factors should be treated as established while the investigation remains ongoing.
Highway 233 and nearby roads were closed while emergency personnel and investigators worked at the scene. Officials urged members of the public to avoid the area and allow responders to carry out their duties.
The crash occurred near McMinnville Municipal Airport, southwest of Portland. The airport itself was reported to have remained open during the initial response.
