Aviation News

Currently Playing: Two Helicopters Collide: What the NTSB Just Revealed

Two helicopters. One sky. On October 29, 2026, at about 2:10 PM, a Robinson R22 and an Airbus AS350B3 collided about 500 feet above a farm field about a mile east of McMinnville Municipal Airport in Oregon. Three people died. In this video, I go through what the NTSB has shared so far from its press conference with the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office: what each helicopter was doing, how traffic works at a non-towered airport, the weather data from the airport's automated weather station, and what comes next in the investigation. The NTSB has not determined a probable cause. A preliminary report is expected in about 30 days, and the final report in 12 to 24 months. In memory of: Tyler Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, a pilot, mechanic, flight instructor and FAA designated pilot examiner at his family's company, Precision Helicopters, remembered by so many pilots as a mentor. Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, a newly certified helicopter flight instructor whose team remembered her as brave, generous and adventurous. Christopher James Joughin, 31, of the United Kingdom, who came to Oregon to learn to fly helicopters. Our hearts are with their families, friends, and everyone at Precision, at Chehalem Air Park and at Jerry Trimble Helicopters. NTSB press conference footage courtesy of KGW News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV_yVutBjEA If you saw anything, the NTSB asks witnesses to email witness@ntsb.gov. Weather figures are from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of the airport's automated weather readings. They aren't official NTSB findings. Remember, superior judgment trumps superior skill. LINKS - ▸ Check out Dan's new book! → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HKKN3VNL ▸ Sign up for our email newsletter! → https://taking-off.kit.com/d0caf18c91 PARTNERS & SPONSORS - ▸ For business inquiries → takingoff@outloudtalent.com ▸ Serendipitous Films - Need a video for your company? → sales@s-films.com ▸ AEROVERSE - Use code TakingOff for 15% off! → https://www.aeroverse.com/ ▸ FlyingEyes Optics - Get 10% off pilot glasses → https://flyingeyesoptics.com/pages/ta... ▸ Colten Mortgage - Residential mortgage & refi, run by a pilot! → https://www.coltenmortgage.com/takingoff ▸ XeVision - Extreme LED Landing Lights. The only competitor is the sun! → https://www.xevision.com ▸ Clemens Insurance - Your broker should be fighting for you. Call Clemens! → https://www.clemensinsurance.net/ ▸ Marshal Protective Services - Private Security Elevated! → https://mpsprotects.com/ ▸ METAR Maps - The large METAR map on our set! Mention TakingOff when you order → https://metarmaps.com/ ▸ Lightspeed Headsets - Support us by buying through our link → https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?r... #helicoptercrash #midair #NTSB