FAA Alerted to Slackline Hazard Prior to Fatal Arizona Helicopter Crash
Federal aviation records reveal that just a week prior to a tragic helicopter crash, a notice was issued regarding a slackline being stretched across a mountainous region in Arizona. This warning was intended for pilots navigating the area, alerting them to the temporary obstacle as they planned their flights.
The helicopter, piloted by David McCarty, collided with the slackline near Telegraph Canyon, resulting in the deaths of McCarty and three family members. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter strike the line before it plummeted into the canyon below.
In the coming weeks, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will meticulously examine the wreckage to uncover the circumstances surrounding the crash that occurred on January 2.
This incident has raised significant concerns within the aviation community, as safety experts note that there are no known helicopter crashes attributed to slacklines. Tom Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California, emphasized the ongoing risks posed by power lines and unmarked cables, which are notoriously difficult for helicopter pilots to detect without proper markers or lighting.
Anthony stressed the importance of reviewing Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) during flight planning. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, pilots are required to check for any notices that may affect their entire flight path, not just the departure and arrival points.
The FAA recommends that pilots also review notices within a 25 nautical mile (46 kilometers) radius of their flight path to ensure safety. These notices can alert pilots to various hazards, including slacklines, runway work, and restricted airspace.
While Anthony acknowledges the volume of notices can be overwhelming, he insists that thorough review is essential. “It can be a drudge, a chore, but you’ve got to do it,” he stated.
Federal investigators will determine whether mechanical issues or other factors contributed to the crash, but it may take months before a final report is released.
On Monday, authorities confirmed the identities of the victims: David McCarty, 59, and his nieces Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman. McCarty founded Columbia Basin Helicopters in the 1990s, transforming it into a company that secured millions in federal contracts for firefighting, agricultural spraying, and other projects across nine Western states, with offices in Oregon and Arizona.
Philip Hofbauer, a longtime friend of the McCarty family from Ukiah, Oregon, expressed his grief over the loss. “They’re all just amazing people. They’ve all been a huge inspiration in my life,” he said, recalling his experiences working with McCarty on firefighting efforts.
Hofbauer described the loss of four family members as “overwhelming” and a “very tragic situation.” The crash occurred approximately 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Phoenix, shortly after the helicopter took off from an airport in Queen Creek. It took rescue crews several hours to reach the remote crash site on foot.
The slackline involved was reported to be over half a mile (more than a kilometer) long. The warning about the line was issued on December 26, indicating it would be in place for several days and would be flagged and lit for visibility.
According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, a few helicopter crashes each year are attributed to collisions with wires or towers. However, the institute notes that FAA charts and apps designed for flight planning and navigation can help pilots identify potential obstacles.
Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation in Virginia, highlighted the importance of situational awareness in aviation safety. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing too many of these incidents where, you know, it’s really preventable,” he remarked. “It should not happen.”
Associated Press reporter Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Federal aviation records reveal that just a week prior to a tragic helicopter crash, a notice was issued regarding a slackline being stretched across a mountainous region in Arizona. This warning was intended for pilots navigating the area, alerting them to the temporary obstacle as they planned their flights.
The helicopter, piloted by David McCarty, collided with the slackline near Telegraph Canyon, resulting in the deaths of McCarty and three family members. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter strike the line before it plummeted into the canyon below.
In the coming weeks, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will meticulously examine the wreckage to uncover the circumstances surrounding the crash that occurred on January 2.
This incident has raised significant concerns within the aviation community, as safety experts note that there are no known helicopter crashes attributed to slacklines. Tom Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California, emphasized the ongoing risks posed by power lines and unmarked cables, which are notoriously difficult for helicopter pilots to detect without proper markers or lighting.
Anthony stressed the importance of reviewing Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) during flight planning. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, pilots are required to check for any notices that may affect their entire flight path, not just the departure and arrival points.
The FAA recommends that pilots also review notices within a 25 nautical mile (46 kilometers) radius of their flight path to ensure safety. These notices can alert pilots to various hazards, including slacklines, runway work, and restricted airspace.
While Anthony acknowledges the volume of notices can be overwhelming, he insists that thorough review is essential. “It can be a drudge, a chore, but you’ve got to do it,” he stated.
Federal investigators will determine whether mechanical issues or other factors contributed to the crash, but it may take months before a final report is released.
On Monday, authorities confirmed the identities of the victims: David McCarty, 59, and his nieces Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman. McCarty founded Columbia Basin Helicopters in the 1990s, transforming it into a company that secured millions in federal contracts for firefighting, agricultural spraying, and other projects across nine Western states, with offices in Oregon and Arizona.
Philip Hofbauer, a longtime friend of the McCarty family from Ukiah, Oregon, expressed his grief over the loss. “They’re all just amazing people. They’ve all been a huge inspiration in my life,” he said, recalling his experiences working with McCarty on firefighting efforts.
Hofbauer described the loss of four family members as “overwhelming” and a “very tragic situation.” The crash occurred approximately 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Phoenix, shortly after the helicopter took off from an airport in Queen Creek. It took rescue crews several hours to reach the remote crash site on foot.
The slackline involved was reported to be over half a mile (more than a kilometer) long. The warning about the line was issued on December 26, indicating it would be in place for several days and would be flagged and lit for visibility.
According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute, a few helicopter crashes each year are attributed to collisions with wires or towers. However, the institute notes that FAA charts and apps designed for flight planning and navigation can help pilots identify potential obstacles.
Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation in Virginia, highlighted the importance of situational awareness in aviation safety. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing too many of these incidents where, you know, it’s really preventable,” he remarked. “It should not happen.”
Associated Press reporter Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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