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World · October 30, 2026

3 dead after 2 helicopters collide midair near Oregon airport, sheriff says

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On the afternoon of October 29, 2026, three people were killed when two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport, approximately 35 to 40 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon. The incident involved a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter, which crashed into a farm field and prompted the closure of a nearby highway. The victims were identified as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 38-year-old pilot Tyler Delane Sturdevant, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom. One of the aircraft belonged to Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight school based at the airport. The FAA, NTSB, and local authorities are investigating the cause of the collision.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • The collision occurred on October 29, 2026.
  • Three people were killed in the crash.
  • The accident happened near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon.
  • One helicopter was a Robinson R22 and the other was an Airbus model.
  • Maddie Aasbo and Tyler Delane Sturdevant were two of the deceased.
  • The third victim was a student pilot from the United Kingdom.
  • One helicopter belonged to Jerry Trimble Helicopters.

Reported by only some outlets

  • CBS News reports the collision time as about 2:15 p.m., while ABC News reports it as approximately 2:10 p.m.
  • CBS News reports Maddie Aasbo and the student pilot were on the Robinson R22, while the New York Post identifies the Airbus occupant as Sturdevant.
  • CNN reports Highway 233 was closed, while ABC News places the collision near Highway 33.
  • The New York Post specifies the student pilot was 31 years old.
  • ABC News identifies the Airbus as a 2018 AS350B3 and the Robinson as a 1995 R22.
  • CNN describes the wreckage as a crumpled red helicopter and an upside-down green helicopter.

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