By Islam El-Sakka
Two helicopters collided and crashed into a farm field Thursday near McMinnville Airport, southwest of Portland, Oregon, killing all three people on board and forcing the closure of Highway 233, authorities said.
Victims Identified
The victims were identified as 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant, a pilot from Oregon; 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo, a flight instructor from Texas; and a student pilot from the United Kingdom whose name has not been released, according to Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott. Aasbo and the U.K. student pilot were on one aircraft, while Sturdevant was on the other, the sheriff's office said.
Investigation and Recovery
Emergency crews responded around 2:15 p.m. following reports of a crash a few miles east of the airport. Photos from the sheriff's department show a green helicopter smashed upside down in a field and a red helicopter crumpled in pieces. One aircraft came from Jerry Trimble Helicopters, an aviation school at the airport, which said it is cooperating with authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration said the collision involved a Robinson R22 two-seat aircraft and an Airbus H125. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Highway Closure
The Oregon Department of Transportation closed Highway 233 one mile west of Dayton, with no estimate for reopening. Local roads were also closed, and the sheriff's office urged the public to stay clear. McMinnville, about 35 miles southwest of Portland, has about 34,000 residents. The airport, on 650 acres with two paved runways, remained open Thursday.
