Three killed in helicopter collision near Oregon airport
A Robinson R22 and Airbus helicopter collided midair near McMinnville, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon.
At a glance
- Two helicopters collided midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport on Thursday afternoon
- Three people were killed in the crash
- Both aircraft crashed in a field adjacent to Highway 233, which was closed
- The cause of the collision is under investigation
Two helicopters collided in midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport in northwest Oregon on Thursday afternoon, killing three people. The crash involved a Robinson R22 and an Airbus helicopter, both of which fell into a field adjacent to a highway. A nearby stretch of Highway 233 was closed following the incident.
The victims were identified as a flight instructor and student pilot aboard one aircraft, and a pilot who was the sole occupant of the other. A witness who observed the collision from a nearby vineyard reported hearing a loud impact and seeing the aircraft fall to the ground. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Why it matters
Midair collisions between aircraft are rare but typically result in fatalities. The incident prompted closure of a nearby highway and triggered an investigation into what caused the collision.
Original reporting
- BBC News — WorldThree dead after two helicopters collide midair near Oregon airport
- Saudi Gazette — LatestThree dead after two helicopters collide midair near Oregon airport
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
