Federal investigators are examining a tragic helicopter crash in Arizona that claimed four lives after the aircraft collided with a temporary slackline, despite an official warning to pilots being issued a week earlier.
The Crash and Official Warning
On 2 January 2026, a helicopter piloted by David McCarty, 59, crashed near Telegraph Canyon after striking a slackline – a tightrope stretched across the mountainous terrain. McCarty and his three nieces, Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman, were all killed in the incident.
Authorities confirmed a witness saw the helicopter hit a section of the line before it fell to the canyon floor, approximately 64 miles east of Phoenix. The remote location meant rescue crews faced a hours-long trek on foot to reach the wreckage.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records reveal a crucial detail: a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued on 26 December, alerting pilots that the slackline, over half a mile long, would be in place for several days and would be flagged and lit.
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
The case has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, with safety experts noting it is a highly unusual event. "Power lines and unmarked cables are a perpetual concern for helicopter pilots," explained Tom Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California. He emphasised that such obstacles are inherently difficult to see without clear markers.
Anthony stressed the critical importance of pilots thoroughly reviewing NOTAMs for their entire planned flight path, not just departure and arrival points. The FAA recommends checking notices within 25 nautical miles (46 kilometres) of a route for maximum safety. These notices can cover a wide range of temporary hazards, from slacklines to runway work and restricted airspace.
"It can be a drudge, a chore, but you've got to do it," Anthony acknowledged regarding the review process.
Investigation and Lasting Impact
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead a detailed investigation over the coming weeks, combing through the wreckage to determine if mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the crash. A final report may take months to complete.
David McCarty was the founder of Columbia Basin Helicopters, a company established in the 1990s with offices in Oregon and Arizona. It held substantial federal contracts for firefighting, agricultural spraying, and other projects across nine western US states.
Philip Hofbauer, a lifelong friend of the McCarty family, described the loss of four relatives as "overwhelming" and "a very tragic situation."
Hassan Shahidi, president of the Flight Safety Foundation, underscored the preventable nature of many such incidents. "Safety revolves around situational awareness and an understanding of the airspace," he said. "Unfortunately, we’re seeing too many of these incidents... It should not happen."
While the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute notes that a few helicopter crashes annually involve wires or towers, this case highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring temporary obstacles are effectively communicated to and observed by all airspace users.
