Crime & Safety
Oregon Helicopter Crash: British Student Pilot, 31, Identified
McMinnville, OR – Authorities have identified the third individual involved in a helicopter collision in rural Yamhill County, confirming Friday evening that a 31 year old student pilot from the Unite
By Dylan Reeves · 2026-10-31T02:05:54.705Z
McMinnville, OR – Authorities have identified the third individual involved in a helicopter collision in rural Yamhill County, confirming Friday evening that a 31 year old student pilot from the United Kingdom was among those involved in the aviation tragedy.
According to the Yamhill County Sheriff 's Office, the individual was identified as Christopher James Joughin, 31, of the United Kingdom, following an international effort to locate and notify his family.
The helicopter collision occurred Thursday, Oct. 29, in rural Dayton, near McMinnville, southwest of Portland.
The sheriff's office released the identification Friday, Oct. 30, describing the announcement as its final update regarding the incident.
Authorities credited several American and British agencies for helping coordinate the international family notification process.
Those agencies included the FBI Salem Resident Office, UK Consular Directorate London, UK Metropolitan Police, local Harare Zimbabwe Police, the UK Embassy and FBI personnel in the United Kingdom.
The sheriff's office also acknowledged assistance from congressional offices, including those of Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Andrea Salinas.
The involvement of multiple international agencies highlights the complexity of notifying relatives when an aviation incident involves someone living overseas.
The sheriff's office extended its condolences to Joughin's family and friends.
Officials said the National Transportation Safety Board will handle all future investigative updates and findings related to the collision.
The cause of the crash has not been established in the sheriff's latest announcement.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or possesses video footage from Thursday to contact the NTSB directly at witness@ntsb.gov .
The sheriff's office said it does not anticipate releasing further investigative updates.
Federal investigators will be responsible for determining the circumstances surrounding the collision and releasing any subsequent findings.