Two helicopters collided midair near McMinnville Municipal Airport around 2:15 p.m. local time, crashing in a field and prompting authorities to close Oregon Route 233, the Federal Aviation Administration told Fox News Digital.
The FAA said a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 were involved. Only the pilot was aboard the Robinson R22, while two people were aboard the Airbus H125. The agency did not provide information about injuries or fatalities, leaving the conditions of the three people aboard unclear.
Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Mindy McCartt told Fox News Digital the collision occurred in a field off Oregon Route 233 about one mile west of Dayton and that the highway and some nearby county roads were closed at the request of emergency responders. She said there was no estimated reopening time.
McMinnville Airport Manager John Paskell told Fox News Digital the collision occurred off airport property and did not disrupt airport operations; the airport remained open without closures or restrictions. Paskell said he understood both helicopters were based at the airport but could not confirm what activities they were conducting or how the collision occurred.
The FAA said it will investigate the collision alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, which will lead the investigation and provide further updates. The FAA cautioned that its information was preliminary and subject to change. The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and the NTSB did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
