Three people were killed Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in midair near an Oregon airport, crashed into a field and led authorities to close a nearby highway.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement to News Outlet that a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 collided near McMinnville Municipal Airport at about 2:15 p.m. local time.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told News Outlet that the crash occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time.
The agency identified the Airbus as an AS350B2 conducting a maintenance flight and the Robinson R22 Beta as being used for an instructional flight.
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday that all three people aboard the two helicopters died.
A road closure sign stops traffic near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon on Oct. 29, 2026, after two helicopters collided in midair. (Fox News)
The two people aboard the Robinson R22 were identified by the sheriff’s office as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo of Texas and 31-year-old student pilot Christopher James Joughin of the United Kingdom.
Authorities confirmed Joughin’s identity Friday after initially withholding his name while notifying his next of kin.
Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon, was the only person aboard the Airbus helicopter.
The helicopters crashed in a field off Oregon Route 233, roughly one mile west of Dayton, Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Mindy McCartt said.
McCartt told News Outlet that the highway and several nearby county roads were closed at the request of emergency responders. No reopening time had been established.
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John Paskell, manager of McMinnville Airport, told News Outlet that the collision took place off airport property and did not affect airport operations. The airport remained open with no closures or restrictions.
Paskell said he understood that both helicopters were based at the airport, but he could not confirm what they were doing or explain how the collision occurred.
The FAA and NTSB responded to the scene and are directing the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
The NTSB said Friday that two investigators were traveling to the crash site. After the wreckage is documented, it will be recovered and taken to a secure facility for additional examination.
Emergency vehicles and personnel gather near a closed road outside McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon on Thursday after two helicopters collided. (Fox News)
Investigators will review the pilots, aircraft and operating conditions, including flight-tracking data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, weather and the pilots’ flight experience.
They will also examine witness accounts, electronic devices and any available surveillance footage, including video from doorbell cameras.
The NTSB is asking anyone with relevant information about the collision to contact investigators at witness@ntsb.gov.
The cause of the midair collision remains undetermined.
The NTSB expects to issue a preliminary report within 30 days. The report will contain factual information collected during the initial investigation.
A final report detailing the probable cause and any contributing factors is expected within 12 to 24 months.
