Christopher Joughin, a 31-year-old student pilot from the United Kingdom, has been named as the third person killed when two helicopters collided in mid-air near McMinnville, Oregon, on Thursday 29 October.
The identification follows the earlier confirmation of the deaths of flight instructor Maddie Aasbo, 22, and experienced helicopter pilot Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38. US aviation investigators are examining the wreckage, but have not determined what caused the collision.
British student pilot Christopher Joughin identified
Joughin was learning to fly in a two-seat Robinson R22 helicopter with instructor Maddie Aasbo, from Texas. His name was released on Friday evening, after officials had worked with UK authorities to notify his family, according to local broadcaster KATU.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office told the Associated Press that it was in contact with local authorities and supporting Joughin’s family. No additional verified personal background about Joughin has been established.
The three people who died
Maddie Aasbo, 22: A flight instructor from Texas, she was aboard the Robinson R22 with Joughin. The Associated Press reported that she had studied wildlife management at Southwest Texas College and had been a member of its rodeo team before pursuing a career in aviation.
Tyler Delane Sturdevant, 38: A pilot from Newberg, Oregon, he was alone in the Airbus helicopter. His employer, Precision, described him as a senior pilot and mentor. He had also worked as an FAA pilot examiner and volunteered for flights supporting people travelling to medical appointments, according to Associated Press reporting.
Christopher Joughin, 31: A British student pilot flying with Aasbo on an instructional flight. UK consular officials are supporting his family.
What we know
- The collision occurred shortly after 2pm local time on Thursday 29 October, southeast of McMinnville Municipal Airport in Yamhill County.
- Three people died: two aboard a 1995 Robinson R22 and one aboard a 2018 Airbus AS350B3, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office.
- The Robinson was being used for flight instruction. The NTSB said the Airbus was on a post-maintenance test flight.
- Witnesses estimated that the helicopters were about 500 feet above the ground when they collided. The NTSB relayed this estimate at a Friday briefing; it is not yet a verified flight-data finding.
- The wreckage came down in a farm field near Highway 233. Investigators said the aircraft landed about 100 yards apart.
What we don’t know
- Why the helicopters collided, including their exact flight paths, speeds and separation before impact.
- Whether visibility, communications, aircraft equipment or any operational decision contributed.
- Whether any mechanical issue played a role. A post-maintenance flight does not, by itself, indicate a malfunction.
- Whether witness estimates of altitude and the sequence of events will be confirmed by flight data or other evidence.
No official finding has assigned responsibility to any of the pilots. Descriptions of what witnesses saw must not be mistaken for an established cause.
What investigators have said
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the inquiry, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also involved. Investigators are examining the aircraft, maintenance records, relevant operating information and witness evidence.
The NTSB expects a preliminary report in roughly 30 days. Such reports summarise initial factual evidence and normally do not determine probable cause. A final report, which can take 12 to 24 months, is expected to address the cause and any contributing factors. These are anticipated timescales, not fixed publication dates.
The sheriff’s initial report listed the Airbus as an AS350B3, while some early coverage used a different AS350 variant designation. The aircraft identification may be further clarified through the federal investigation.
Watch the latest local coverage
This is a follow-up to our initial report on the fatal collision, published before the British student pilot’s name was released.
