Full Breakdown
Midair Collision of Two Helicopters Near McMinnville, Oregon Claims Three Lives
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In this breakdown
01
Incident Overview
On October 29, 2026, two helicopters collided a few miles east of McMinnville Municipal Airport in Yamhill County, Oregon, at about 2:15 p.m. local time, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. The Robinson R22 and an Airbus-type helicopter (identified in reports as an H125 or AS350/AS350 B3) struck each other and fell into a private field adjacent to Oregon Route 233. All three occupants were killed.
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02
Victims and Aircraft
The victims were identified by Sheriff Sam Elliott as:
- Maddie Aasbo, 22, a flight instructor from Texas, aboard the Robinson R22.
- Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon, the sole occupant of the Airbus helicopter.
- An unnamed British student pilot, the second occupant of the Robinson R22; the name is being withheld pending family notification.
One helicopter belonged to Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight-training school based at McMinnville Municipal Airport.
03
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency crews arrived shortly after 2:10 p.m. The Oregon Department of Transportation closed a one-mile stretch of Highway 233 west of Dayton and nearby county roads. ODOT spokesperson Mindy McCartt said no reopening estimate was available.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft types and fatalities and noted that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. The NTSB is gathering information and will conduct a full inquiry.
04
Road Closure and Public Safety
Highway 233 remained closed, with officials urging motorists to use alternate routes while responders worked at the site. The sheriff’s office asked the public to stay clear of the area for safety and to allow investigators to conduct their work.
05
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Initial FAA communications indicated only the pilot was aboard the Robinson R22, but later updates clarified that two occupants were in that helicopter and one in the Airbus. Sources differ on the Airbus model, describing it as an H125, AS350, or AS350 B3. No cause for the collision has been released, and investigators have not disclosed whether flight-training activities, maintenance work, or other factors contributed.
06
Background and Context
McMinnville Municipal Airport lies about 35–40 miles southwest of Portland and occupies roughly 650 acres (263 hectares) with two paved runways. The airport hosts several aviation businesses, including Jerry Trimble Helicopters, which offers introductory flights and advanced helicopter training.
07
Impact
The accident resulted in the loss of three aviation professionals and temporarily disrupted transportation on a regional highway. It highlights safety concerns for flight-training operations at mixed-use airfields.
08
What’s Next
The FAA and NTSB will continue to collect evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze flight data. The crash site has been turned over to federal investigators, and a final accident report is expected later in the investigation. Authorities have not announced any changes to local flight-training procedures or airspace restrictions.