Two helicopters collided in midair near an airport in Oregon on Thursday, authorities said.
A Robinson R22 carrying one pilot crashed into an Airbus H125 with two people aboard at about 2:15 p.m. local time near McMinnville Municipal Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Police, firefighters and emergency medical crews responded to the small airport, located roughly 35 miles southwest of Portland, after receiving reports of the midair crash, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said.
A witness told Fox12 that he was on the roof of a nearby barn when he saw the helicopters collide and fall to the ground just outside the airport’s perimeter.
Shaken by what he had seen, the witness immediately called 911.
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Authorities did not say whether any pilots or passengers were injured or killed in the helicopter crash.
“Roadways around the crash site are currently closed. We are asking the community to keep clear of the area,” the department said, urging residents to be patient as crews responded to the “critical incident.”
Images from the scene showed mangled helicopter wreckage scattered in a pile across a wide field.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with additional updates to be released by the FAA.
