Passionate flight instructor, 22, and pilot, 38, killed in horrific mid-air helicopter
A flight instructor from Texas with a passion for rodeo and a longtime pilot who worked for the Federal Aviation Administration were killed when two helicopters collided into each other in mid-air over rural Oregon on Thursday afternoon.
Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and Tyler Sturdevant, 38, of Oregon, were found dead at the scene after a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter Aasbo was teaching a flight student on crashed into a 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter piloted by Sturdevant just before 2.15pm.
An unidentified student from the UK whom Aasbo was teaching to fly was also killed.
The two helicopters went down in a privately owned farm field on Southeast Highway 154 and Stringtown Road near McMinnville Municipal Airport.
One witness told Fox 12 he was standing on the roof of a nearby barn when he saw the helicopters collide and hit the ground just outside the perimeter of the airport. At that point, the witness said he immediately called 911.
Photos from the scene showed a red helicopter smashed in pieces in the middle of a field, as a smaller white helicopter was left 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.
Sturdevant had worked as a designated pilot examiner with the FAA, according to his LinkedIn page.
Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and Tyler Sturdevant, 38, of Oregon, were killed when the 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter Aasbo was teaching a flight student on crashed into Sturdevant’s 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter
Aasbo (right) was pictured in front of a Jerry Trimble helicopter in an August 2025 photo that said she was ‘on to great things’
A 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter crashed just before 2.15pm on Thursday
Photos from the scene showed a red helicopter smashed in pieces in the middle of a field, as a smaller white helicopter was left mangled 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, meanwhile was a skilled rodeo star who worked as a flight instructor.
In an emotional statement, McMinnville-based Jerry Trimble Helicopters confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash.
‘Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families and everyone affected by this event,’ it said.
‘We are immensely grateful for the rapid response and dedication of local emergency services and first responders.’
The company added that it is ‘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.’
In a tragic twist, Aasbo was pictured in front of a Jerry Trimble helicopter in an August 2025 photo.
The Instagram post said she was a ‘brand new private pilot going into instrument training’ and that she was ‘on to great things.’
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.