> At a Glance
> – A private helicopter crashed Jan. 2 near Telegraph Canyon in Superior, Arizona
> – Pilot David McCarty, 59, died alongside nieces Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman, all 21-22
> – The flight took off hours before McCarty’s scheduled wedding
> – Why it matters: Investigators believe the aircraft hit a recreational slackline strung across the canyon
A weekend joy flight turned to tragedy when a helicopter carrying an Oregon family of four went down in the Arizona desert on what was meant to be David McCarty’s wedding day.
The Victims
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the aircraft carried:
- David McCarty, 59, pilot and uncle
- Rachel McCarty, 22
- Faith McCarty, 21
- Katelyn Heideman, 21
All three women were cousins and David’s nieces, according to a relative’s Facebook post viewed by News Of Los Angeles.
Timeline of Events
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Morning | Helicopter departs Pegasus Airpark, Queen Creek |
| ~11 a.m. | 911 call reports crash after aircraft strikes slackline |
| Evening | Rescue crews reach wreckage on foot |
Mary Jane Heideman, mother of Katelyn and aunt to Rachel and Faith, told The Arizona Republic:
> “They were all so loved. The girls had such bright futures. It’s just hard to fathom this.”
Investigation Underway
The NTSB and FAA are leading the probe. Preliminary evidence shows a 1-kilometer slackline had been rigged across the mountain range; an eyewitness saw the helicopter strike the line before plummeting into the canyon.
David had planned to marry fiancée Joelleen Linstrom later that day; the couple announced their engagement in September. Linstrom posted a photo of David fishing after the crash but has not issued a statement.
Key Takeaways
- Four family members died in a remote Arizona helicopter crash on Jan. 2
- The flight occurred hours before the pilot’s wedding
- Investigators suspect contact with a recreational slackline caused the crash
- Federal authorities continue to investigate
The family thanked the public for prayers and asked for continued support “as we process this heartbreak.”
