A tragic helicopter crash in a remote mountainous area near Superior, Arizona, claimed the lives of four family members on January 2, 2026. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, when the private MD 369FF helicopter struck a long recreational slackline strung across the canyon before plummeting to the ground.

The victims have been identified by family members as David McCarty, a Queen Creek resident originally from Oregon who was in his late 50s and an experienced pilot with multiple helicopters to his name. He was flying the aircraft on his wedding day and had taken three of his nieces for a scenic ride ahead of the ceremony. The nieces, all from Echo, Oregon and in their early 20s, were Katelyn Heideman and sisters Rachel and Faith McCarty.

David was described as a seasoned flyer familiar with the Telegraph Canyon area, having navigated it many times without incident. The crash devastated the close-knit communities in Oregon, where the young women were raised.

Family members shared their grief, noting the profound impact on the small town of Echo: “When they say it takes a village to raise a child, that’s the epitome of these communities… Everybody had a hand in raising these girls. The families lost 50% of their children on the wedding day, which was supposed to be a celebration.

So, yeah, it’s extremely tough. Nobody ever anticipates this sort of thing to happen, and it’s just heart-wrenching.”

The helicopter had departed from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek earlier that morning. Authorities, including the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, responded to reports of the crash, with search and rescue teams reaching the remote site on foot by evening alongside FAA investigators. All four occupants were confirmed deceased at the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.
Original article by Taylor Wirtz, FOX 10 Phoenix (published January 3, 2026).