Sheriff: 2 dead in helicopter crash in northwest Oregon

NEWBERG, Ore. — Authorities say two people aboard a helicopter are dead following a crash in northwest Oregon.

The Yamhill County Sheriff’s office says deputies responded to the crash shortly after 10 p.m. PDT Wednesday.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the aircraft went down near Newberg, which is about 35 miles south of Portland.

The sheriff’s office says in a statement early Thursday that the crash started a wildfire in a field which was put out by Newberg firefighters.

The two people killed are believed to be the aircraft’s only occupants.

Gregor says the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate what caused the Schweizer helicopter to go down.

The names of the victims are being withheld until relatives are notified.

The sheriff’s office said by phone early Thursday that no more information would be available until later in the morning.