A short scenic flight in Arizona ended in tragedy on January 2, 2026, just hours before a wedding.
The crash happened around 11 a.m. near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said. Four people died.
They were identified as pilot David McCarty, 59, and his three nieces: Katelyn Heideman, 22, and sisters Rachel and Faith, both 21. Relatives said McCarty was set to marry Joelleen M. Linstrom later that day. The helicopter had taken off from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek, where he also owned a home.
Because the area was remote, crews did not reach the wreckage until about 5 p.m. Investigators from the FAA and NTSB are working to confirm what caused the crash.
Slackline may have been involved
The FAA and NTSB said the aircraft was an MD 369FF. Early findings suggest a rotor blade may have separated after striking a recreational slackline suspended across the mountains, more than one kilometer long. The International Slackline Association said the line was marked and listed in a NOTAM, and no slackliners were there at the time.
Separate jet tragedy in North Carolina
Another crash happened near Statesville, North Carolina, on December 18, 2025. A Cessna C550 went down shortly after takeoff, killing seven people, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5. Officials said conditions included drizzle and low cloud. Investigators are still reviewing the flight path, weather, and aircraft history.