A Texas flight instructor known for her passion for rodeo and an Oregon pilot who had worked for the Federal Aviation Administration were killed when two helicopters collided in mid-air over Oregon on Thursday afternoon.
Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and Tyler Sturdevant, 38, of Oregon, died at the scene after the 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter Aasbo was using to teach a flight student collided with a 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter piloted by Sturdevant shortly before 2.15pm.
The unidentified flight student from the UK who was being taught by Aasbo was also killed.
The helicopters crashed into a privately owned farm field near McMinnville Municipal Airport, at the intersection of Southeast Highway 154 and Stringtown Road.
A witness told Fox 12 that he was standing on the roof of a nearby barn when he watched the helicopters collide before crashing just beyond the airport perimeter. He said he immediately called 911.
Images from the crash site showed a red helicopter shattered across the center of the field, while a smaller white helicopter lay mangled nearby.
‘Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the families and friends of Ms Aasbo and Mr Sturdevant,’ the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
According to his LinkedIn page, Sturdevant had worked as a designated pilot examiner for the FAA.
Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and Tyler Sturdevant, 38, of Oregon, died after the 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter Aasbo was using to teach a flight student collided with Sturdevant’s 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter
Aasbo (pictured right) worked for Jerry Trimble Helicopters. An August 2025 Instagram post described her as a ‘brand new private pilot going into instrument training’ who was ‘on to great things’
A 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter collided shortly before 2.15pm on Thursday
Photos from the crash site showed a red helicopter broken apart in the middle of a field, with a smaller white helicopter wrecked nearby
‘I have been in the Aviation Industry for 13 years with experience in a range of operations, including but not limited to Helicopter Firefighting, Media Production, Yacht Support, Airplane Charter, Advance Training and Aircraft Management,’ his profile says.
Aasbo worked for Jerry Trimble Helicopters. In an August 2025 Instagram post, the company described her as a ‘brand new private pilot going into instrument training’ and said she was ‘on to great things.’
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Photos shared on social media also showed Aasbo’s skills as a rodeo competitor.
Following the fatal helicopter collision, McMinnville-based Jerry Trimble Helicopters confirmed that one of its aircraft had been involved.
‘Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families and everyone affected by this event,’ the company said.
‘We are immensely grateful for the rapid response and dedication of local emergency services and first responders.’
The company said it was ‘fully cooperating with local emergency management, law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to secure the site and determine the cause of the incident.’
‘We ask for the public’s patience and respect for privacy of those involved as we work alongside investigating authorities to gather verified information.’
One of the crashed helicopters is pictured in the distance
The crash occurred near McMinnville Municipal Airport (pictured)
Following the crash, the Oregon Department of Transportation warned motorists that all lanes of Route 223 were closed one mile west of Dayton.
‘This could be an extended closure,’ it posted. ‘Use an alternate route.’
A source at the McMinnville Fire District told the Daily Mail that all of its crews had rushed to the scene.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are now investigating the crash.
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