A midair collision of two helicopters in rural Yamhill County left three people dead and forced the closure of a nearby highway.
Key points
- Three people – a flight instructor, a student pilot, and a private pilot – died in the collision.
- The crash involved a Robinson R22 and an Airbus AS350B3 and occurred near Highway 154 and Stringtown Road.
- Highway 233 west of Dayton was closed by ODOT pending investigation and site clearance.
On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2026, two helicopters collided midair near Southeast Highway 154 and Stringtown Road, southeast of McMinnville Municipal Airport, killing all three occupants, according to Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott.
The aircraft were a Robinson R22 carrying 22‑year‑old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo of Texas and an unnamed student pilot from the United Kingdom, and an Airbus AS350B3 piloted by 38‑year‑old Tyler Sturdevant of Newberg. The sheriff’s office confirmed these were the only people on board.
Fatalities and aircraft involved
Sheriff Elliott said the crash was reported at about 2:15 p.m. and that the Oregon Department of Transportation closed a one‑mile stretch of Highway 233 west of Dayton as a safety precaution. The department’s statement noted the closure was directly related to the crash site in a private field.
The Federal Aviation Administration had earlier released information that conflicted with the sheriff’s briefing, but officials have not clarified the discrepancy. Authorities are still coordinating with UK officials to notify the student pilot’s family, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities' response and road closure
Local residents were urged to avoid the area while emergency crews worked to recover debris and conduct preliminary examinations. The incident has prompted calls for heightened awareness of low‑altitude flight safety in the region.
Reader questions
What types of helicopters were involved in the crash?
A Robinson R22 and an Airbus AS350B3 were reported to have collided.
Who were the victims?
The victims were flight instructor Maddie Aasbo (22) from Texas, a student pilot from the United Kingdom (name not released), and Tyler Sturdevant (38) of Newberg.
Is Highway 233 still closed?
Oregon Department of Transportation closed a one‑mile segment of Highway 233 west of Dayton after the crash; the status may change as the investigation proceeds.
Source: katu.com