Helicopters Crash in Field Near Oregon Airport, Killing Three

Three people died when two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport on Thursday afternoon.

Officials said the aircraft, a Robinson R22 and an Airbus, crashed into a field next to a highway. The McMinnville Sheriff's Office confirmed the crash site and the number of fatalities.

The victims included Maddie Aasbo, a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom. Both were aboard the Robinson R22, which was operated by Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a local flight training school.

The sole occupant of the Airbus was Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon. Authorities have not yet publicly named the student pilot while they work with the consulate and the FBI to notify next of kin.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the scene to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. It was not immediately clear what triggered the midair collision.

Jerry Trimble Helicopters released a statement confirming that one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. The company said it was cooperating fully with investigators as they gathered details.