Helicopter Collision Near Oregon Airport

Two helicopters collided midair near an airport in Oregon on Thursday afternoon, leading to their crash in a field and the closure of a nearby highway. The incident involved a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125, occurring around 2:15 p.m. local time, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to the FAA, only the pilot was on board the Robinson R22, while there were two individuals aboard the Airbus H125. However, details about the conditions of those involved remain unclear, and no information has been released regarding injuries or fatalities.

The collision took place in a field adjacent to Oregon Route 233, approximately one mile west of Dayton. Mindy McCartt, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation, mentioned that the highway and several nearby county roads were closed at the request of emergency responders, though no clear timeline for reopening has been provided.

John Paskell, the airport manager of McMinnville, stated that the crash occurred outside of the airport grounds and did not impact airport operations, which continued without interruption. He noted that both helicopters were based at the airport but could not provide specifics about their flights at the time of the incident or the circumstances leading to the collision.

The FAA, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has initiated an investigation into the matter, with the NTSB taking the lead and promising further updates. However, the FAA has emphasized that the details being shared are preliminary and may change as more information becomes available.

As of now, there has been no response from the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office or the NTSB to requests for comment.