Fatalities in the McMinnville crash
The midair collision between a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter resulted in three fatalities on Thursday afternoon near McMinnville Municipal Airport. Both aircraft crashed in a field located adjacent to a highway, according to the sheriff’s office. I find the specific details regarding the three victims to be the most important information. In the Robinson R22, the occupants were Maddie Aasbo, a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, and a student pilot from the United Kingdom. The student pilot from the United Kingdom has not yet been publicly identified because the FBI and the consulate are working to notify the next of kin. The third victim was Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon, who was the sole occupant of the Airbus helicopter.
| Aircraft Type | Occupant | Age | Origin/Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson R22 | Maddie Aasbo | 22 | Texas |
| Robinson R22 | Student Pilot | Unknown | United Kingdom |
| Airbus | Tyler Delane Sturdevant | 38 | Newberg, Oregon |
Investigation by federal agencies
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) responded to the scene to lead the investigation. I note that the cause of the midair collision remains unknown to officials. The BBC contacted the FAA for comment regarding the Thursday afternoon crash that occurred in the field adjacent to the highway. I observe that the investigation is being led by the FAA and the NTSB to determine why the Robinson R22 and the Airbus collided. The agencies are working to investigate the circumstances of the crash near McMinnville Municipal Airport. I find the response from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to be the primary effort in determining what happened to the three occupants.
