Overview
- Family members identified the victims as pilot David McCarty, 59, and his relatives Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, 22.
- The MD 369FF departed Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek and went down around 11 a.m. in remote terrain near Telegraph Canyon south of Superior.
- Preliminary findings indicate the helicopter struck a recreational slackline more than one kilometer long, and a 911 caller reported seeing the impact before the aircraft fell into the canyon.
- The International Slackline Association said the line had aviation markers and no highliners were on it, while federal records show a NOTAM warned of a flagged, lighted rope about 600 feet above ground level.
- The NTSB is leading the investigation with FAA support, a temporary flight restriction remains in place over the site, and rugged conditions forced responders to reach the wreckage on foot hours after the crash.