Three killed in midair helicopter collision near McMinnville

The collision happened at about 2:15 p.m. near McMinnville, roughly 35 miles southwest of Portland. Both helicopters came down in a field beside Highway 233, southeast of the airport, authorities said.

The aircraft were a Robinson R22 and an Airbus AS350 B3. The R22 was occupied by Texas-based flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, and a trainee pilot from Britain. The student’s name was being withheld while authorities notified the family. Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon, was the sole occupant of the Airbus.

The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said all three people died. One of the helicopters was associated with Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight-training school at the airport. The school said it was cooperating with investigators and expressed sympathy for those affected.

Highway 233 was closed about one mile west of Dayton, along with nearby local roads. Officials gave no estimate for reopening and asked people to avoid the area. Recovery work continued at the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the Federal Aviation Administration also involved. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.