Three people have died following a midair collision between two helicopters near McMinnville Municipal Airport on Thursday afternoon, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred around 2:10 p.m. local time and involved a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 helicopter. The crash site was located near the intersection of Highway 33 and Cruickshank Road, southeast of McMinnville, a town situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Portland.

The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office identified the victims as flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and a student pilot from the U.K., who were aboard the Robinson R22. The sole occupant of the Airbus AS350B3 was identified as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon. The name of the student pilot was withheld as authorities worked with the consulate and the FBI to notify family.

Witnesses reported seeing the collision near the specified intersection. When first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered both aircraft crashed in a field close to the highway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have responded to the scene and are leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.

The NTSB is expected to lead the official investigation, with the FAA also involved in the inquiry. Initial reports from the FAA indicated one person was on board the Robinson helicopter and two people were on the Airbus. The sheriff's office confirmed that the information provided to reporters at a news conference was relayed by responding personnel.

McMinnville Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport and frequently hosts flight training operations. The types of aircraft involved, a Robinson R22 and an Airbus AS350B3, are commonly used for training and commercial purposes, respectively. The age difference between the aircraft, with one being from 1995 and the other from 2018, may or may not be a factor in the investigation.

Investigations into midair collisions are typically complex, involving detailed analysis of flight paths, communication records, weather conditions, and aircraft maintenance. The NTSB will meticulously examine all available data to determine the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome.

Further details are expected to emerge as the NTSB conducts its thorough investigation. The community and aviation sector will await the findings to understand the contributing factors and any potential safety recommendations to prevent future incidents.