Three Die In Oregon Helicopter Collision

Two helicopters collided near McMinnville Municipal Airport at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday, killing all three people aboard, the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office said. The crash occurred near Lafayette Highway and Southeast Stringtown Road, southeast of McMinnville. A witness standing on a nearby barn roof told investigators he saw the two aircraft hit each other before both went down just outside the airport perimeter, then called 911.

The National Transportation Safety Board identified the aircraft as an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 and a Robinson R22. Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training company, posted on social media that one of its aircraft was involved.

Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott said at a Thursday night news conference that a flight instructor from Texas and a student pilot from the United Kingdom were aboard the Robinson. He identified the instructor as 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo. Officials have not released the student pilot's name while the family is notified.

The third victim was identified as 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant of Newberg, who was in the Airbus, Elliott said. The crash remains under investigation.

Airlines and flight schools routinely operate training flights in the airspace near municipal airports. Investigators have not released a cause.