Three people died Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville, Oregon, sparking a major federal investigation into what caused the deadly crash just 40 miles southwest of Portland.
Flight Instructor and Student Among Victims
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office identified flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom as two of the victims aboard a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter. Authorities withheld the student’s name while working with the British consulate and FBI to notify family members overseas. The collision occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time near the intersection of Highway 33 and Cruickshank Road, southeast of the airport.
Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon, was identified as the sole occupant of the second aircraft, a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 helicopter. Witnesses reported seeing the midair collision before both aircraft crashed into a field near the highway. First responders arriving at the scene confirmed all three occupants died in the crash.
They said the crash killed 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant, a pilot
Federal Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken the lead in investigating what caused the deadly collision, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration. Both federal agencies responded to the crash site Thursday to begin examining wreckage and interviewing witnesses. The NTSB will determine the probable cause of the accident, a process that typically takes months to complete as investigators analyze flight data, maintenance records, weather conditions, and pilot qualifications.
Initial reports from the FAA conflicted with information provided by the sheriff’s office regarding how many people were aboard each aircraft. The FAA initially stated one person was in the Robinson helicopter and two in the Airbus, while the sheriff confirmed the opposite based on information from responding personnel at the scene.
Aviation Safety Questions
The tragedy raises concerns about midair collision risks near regional airports where flight training operations frequently occur. McMinnville Municipal Airport serves as a hub for flight instruction and recreational aviation in the Willamette Valley. Federal investigators will examine whether proper communication protocols were followed and whether air traffic control factors played any role in the collision. The Robinson R22 is commonly used for flight training due to its lower operating costs, while the Airbus AS350 serves commercial and private aviation operations.
