Oregon, United States: Three people were killed after a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter collided mid-air near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon, US, on October 29, 2026. The accident occurred at approximately 2:10–2:15 p.m. local time, with both helicopters crashing into a privately owned farm field southeast of McMinnville.
Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott identified the deceased as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo from Texas, a 31-year-old student pilot from the United Kingdom whose identity has not been released, and 38-year-old pilot Tyler Delane Sturdevant from Newberg, Oregon. Aasbo and the student pilot were aboard the Robinson R22, while Sturdevant was the sole occupant of the Airbus helicopter. All three occupants died in the crash.
The aircraft were identified as a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
McMinnville-based Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a helicopter flight training and rental company, confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in the collision. However, the company did not publicly identify the helicopter model or registration involved. The operator of the second helicopter has not been independently confirmed.
The intended destinations and departure points of both helicopters have not been disclosed. The presence of a flight instructor and student pilot aboard the Robinson indicates a training-related flight, although officials have not confirmed its purpose or route.
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said the collision occurred near Southeast Highway 154 (Lafayette Highway) and Southeast Stringtown Road, southeast of McMinnville. Both helicopters came down in an agricultural field near Highway 233 and the airport.
A witness told local television station KPTV that he was standing on the roof of a nearby barn when he saw the helicopters collide before falling to the ground. He immediately contacted emergency services by calling 911.
Responders from the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, McMinnville Police Department, Oregon State Police and local fire and medical services attended the scene. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also responded to investigate the accident.
The crash prompted the closure of both directions of Highway 233 approximately one mile west of Dayton, along with nearby roads. Authorities asked motorists to use alternative routes and urged the public to stay away from the site. McMinnville Municipal Airport remained operational.
In a statement, Jerry Trimble Helicopters said, “Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event. We are immensely grateful for the rapid response and dedication of local emergency services and first responders.”
The company added, “Jerry Trimble Helicopters is fully cooperating with local emergency management, law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to secure the site and determine the cause of the incident.”
The company also requested public patience and respect for the privacy of those involved while investigators establish the circumstances of the accident.
The FAA confirmed the mid-air collision in its October 29 accident update, stating that the NTSB would lead the investigation and provide further information.
The NTSB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision, with the FAA assisting. The cause of the accident has not been determined, and investigators have not released details about the helicopters’ flight paths, altitude or the sequence of events leading to the collision.
