US EditionGroom, Nieces Die in Horror Chopper Crash Day of His Wedding
Pilot David McCarty and three relatives died after their helicopter hit a marked slackline over Telegraph Canyon, with authorities investigating the crash causes.
- On January 2, 2026, a private MD 369FF helicopter piloted by David McCarty struck a slackline and crashed in Telegraph Canyon near Superior, Arizona, killing the groom and three relatives hours before his wedding.
- Slackline safety groups say a Notice to Air Missions was filed for a line 180 metres above the ground, with a recreational slackline over one kilometre long and no highliners present when struck, the International Slackline Association reported.
- An eyewitness who called 911 reported the chopper striking the slackline around 11 a.m. Saturday south of Superior; deputies located the crashed helicopter after departing Pegasus Airpark, and responders reached the remote wreckage hours later.
- The pilot, David McCarty, 59, founded Columbia Basin Helicopters and had over 40 years' experience; the victims included McCarty, nieces Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and cousin Katelyn Heideman, 22, and relatives called the loss devastating just hours before his wedding to Joelleen Linstrom.
- The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have imposed a temporary flight restriction and opened an investigation, while local investigators and responding deputies report family members raising questions about the circumstances.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Four family members killed when helicopter hits slackline across Arizona canyon
Four Oregon family members were identified Sunday as those killed when their private helicopter hit a slackline strung across an Arizona canyon and crashed. David McCarty, 59, was piloting the MD 369FF chopper, taking his nieces — Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, 22 — for a ride, The Arizona Republic reported. He was due to get married this weekend, according to People. An eyewitness saw the chopper hit the line, also…
Pilot dies alongside 3 nieces on wedding day in tragic Arizona helicopter crash
A helicopter crash in a remote Arizona canyon killed a local man and his three nieces on his wedding day after the aircraft apparently struck a slackline strung across the terrain, authorities said.FOX 10 in Phoenix reported that the victims of the crash, which happened Friday, were identified by family members.The crash happened near Superior in Pinal County, east of the Phoenix area, shortly after the helicopter took off from Pegasus Airpark. …
Groom, three nieces killed when chopper hits slackline in canyon hours before wedding
A sightseeing helicopter piloted by Oregon businessman David McCarty slammed into a slackline just hours before he was set to be married -- killing him and three nieces in a gut-wrenching New Year tragedy.
A particular helicopter fell into a crash in Arizona, U.S.A., and left four dead hours before a marriage that would bring the family together on Sunday (4). Among the victims is the 59-year-old David McCarty pilot who would marry on that day, along with three young parents who accompanied him on the flight. He also read: Scottish singer dies after going out on mountains in New Year's Young is rescued after falling into frozen lake in the United …
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