Two Helicopters Collide Near Oregon Airport, Killing Three
A Robinson R22 and an Airbus crashed into a field near McMinnville on Thursday, prompting a joint FAA and NTSB inquiry.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Three people died when two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport on Thursday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the incident.
The crash involved a Robinson R22 and an Airbus aircraft. Both planes went down in a field next to a highway, according to the local sheriff's office. Officials identified the victims as a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, a student pilot from the United Kingdom, and a 38-year-old man from Newberg, Oregon.
Maddie Aasbo was the instructor aboard the Robinson R22. She was flying with the unidentified student pilot, who is being processed through the British consulate and the FBI for next of kin notification. Tyler Delane Sturdevant was the sole occupant of the Airbus.
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training school based at the airport, confirmed one of its aircraft was involved. The company said it is cooperating fully with investigators.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. They asked the public to avoid the area while response teams work the scene.
Source: Casualty
