David McCarty, Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman die in fatal Telegraph Canyon, Arizona helicopter crash

David McCarty, Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman die in fatal Telegraph Canyon, Arizona helicopter crash

Fatal Telegraph Canyon, Arizona helicopter crash deaths of David McCarty, Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman – Obituary

David McCarty, 59, Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, 22, were all killed Friday morning when their helicopter crashed in Telegraph Canyon, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Authorities said the aircraft struck a slackline stretched across the canyon before falling, and all four occupants died at the scene.

The helicopter had departed from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek carrying the four victims. Search and rescue teams reached the wreckage later that evening and confirmed that no one survived. Family members described the tragedy as devastating, emphasizing the bright futures of the young victims and the deep bonds among them.

David McCarty owned Columbia Basin Helicopters, based in La Grande, Oregon, a company operating helicopters for power-line construction, logging, firefighting, and aircraft recovery. It remains unclear whether the company or its operations were connected to the crash.

Preliminary investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board indicated the helicopter struck a slackline more than one kilometer long that had aviation markers attached. No individuals were on the line at the time of the incident. Notices to airmen had reportedly warned pilots of the obstruction, though confirmation is pending.

Authorities issued a temporary flight restriction over the area to ensure safe recovery efforts. Local officials and community members expressed condolences, noting the immense impact of the loss on the families and the broader community. Federal investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.