Flight instructor, 22, and pilot, 38, among other fatalities after mid-air collision occurs near small airport
Three people have been killed after two helicopters collided in mid-air near a small airport in Oregon on Thursday, authorities have confirmed.
The Yamhill county sheriff’s office said on Thursday that it received reports at about 2.10pm local time about an aircraft incident involving two helicopters that had crashed south-east of McMinnville, near McMinnville municipal airport.
Three people were killed when two helicopters collided midair near an Oregon airport Thursday afternoon, crashing in a field and prompting authorities to close a nearby highway.
The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday that all three people aboard both helicopters died in the crash.
The two victims aboard the Robinson R22 helicopter were identified as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, of Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom, according to the sheriff's office. The student's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The sole occupant of the Airbus helicopter was identified as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon.
The collision occurred in a field off Oregon Route 233, about one mile west of Dayton, according to Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Mindy McCartt.
McCartt told Fox News Digital that the highway and some nearby county roads were closed at the request of emergency responders. She said there was no estimated reopening time.
McMinnville Airport Manager John Paskell told Fox News Digital that the collision occurred off airport property and did not disrupt airport operations. The airport remained open without closures or restrictions.
Paskell said he understood that both helicopters were based at the airport but could not confirm what activities they were conducting or how the collision occurred.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded to the scene and are leading the ongoing investigation into the collision, according to the sheriff's office.
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