BRITISH STUDENT PILOT AMONG THREE KILLED IN HORRIFIC MID-AIR HELICOPTER COLLISION IN OREGON

A British student pilot was among three people who lost their lives when two helicopters collided near McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon. The two American victims have been identified, while the UK student’s family is still awaiting formal notification.

A British student pilot has been killed alongside two Americans after two helicopters collided in mid-air near a small airport in Oregon.

The devastating incident happened on Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026, near McMinnville Municipal Airport, southwest of Portland.

Emergency services were called at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time after reports that two helicopters had collided and crashed into a privately owned farm field.

Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott confirmed that all three people aboard the two aircraft had died.

The British victim was a student pilot travelling in a Robinson R22 helicopter. Authorities have not yet released the person’s name as they work with the British consulate and the FBI to notify their family.

TWO AMERICAN VICTIMS ALSO IDENTIFIED

The other two victims have been identified as 22-year-old Maddie Aasbo, a flight instructor from Texas, and 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant, a pilot from Newberg, Oregon.

Aasbo and the British student were travelling together in the Robinson R22, while Sturdevant was the sole occupant of the second helicopter, an Airbus H125.

The sheriff confirmed the deaths during a news conference, saying that all three occupants had been found deceased at the scene.

The loss has left families and the aviation community facing a heartbreaking tragedy.

TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDED NEAR THE AIRPORT

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the collision involved a two-seat Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125.

Both aircraft came down in a private farm field southeast of McMinnville Municipal Airport.

One of the helicopters was associated with Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a local aviation school that provides flight training.

The school confirmed that one of its aircraft had been involved in the incident and expressed deep sadness for everyone affected.

In a statement, the company said its thoughts were with the individuals involved, their families and the wider community.

It also confirmed that it was cooperating with authorities as they secured the site and began examining the circumstances.

INVESTIGATORS WORK TO ESTABLISH WHAT HAPPENED

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision.

The NTSB is leading the investigation and has sent investigators to examine the wreckage and gather evidence.

At this stage, officials have not announced what caused the two helicopters to collide.

The investigation will need to establish the sequence of events before any conclusions can be reached.

Authorities have urged members of the public to stay away from the crash area while the work continues.

A COMMUNITY LEFT IN MOURNING

For the families of the three victims, the news has brought unimaginable grief.

The British student’s identity remains withheld while officials work to contact relatives. Meanwhile, tributes and messages of sympathy have been shared following the deaths of Aasbo and Sturdevant.

Aviation school Jerry Trimble Helicopters said it was deeply saddened by the incident and was cooperating fully with investigators.

Three lives have been lost in a single aviation disaster, leaving loved ones waiting for answers about how such a collision could happen.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of all three victims. May they rest in peace.