3 dead in midair crash of 2 helicopters near Oregon airport: Sheriff

Three people are dead after two helicopters collided in midair near an Oregon airport on Thursday, according to local authorities.

The incident involved a 1995 Robinson R22 helicopter and a 2018 Airbus AS350B3 helicopter and occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time Thursday near McMinnville, about 40 miles southwest of Portland, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff said flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, of Texas, and a student pilot from the U.K. were aboard the Robinson R22. The name of the student pilot was not released as authorities were working with the consulate and the FBI to notify family, the sheriff said.

The sole occupant of the Airbus AS350B3 was identified as Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38, of Newberg, Oregon.

The sheriff’s office said witnesses reported the collision near the intersection of Highway 33 and Cruickshank Road southeast of McMinnville.

When first responders arrived, they saw both aircraft crashed in a field near the highway.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board responded to the scene and are leading the investigation into the crash, the sheriff said.

The NTSB will lead the investigation, the FAA said earlier.

In an earlier statement, the FAA said there was one occupant aboard the Robinson helicopter and two people aboard the Airbus. The sheriff told reporters at a news conference that received his information from responding personnel.

ABC News’ Amanda Morris contributed to this report.