Baker County Pilot and Three Relatives Die After Helicopter Strikes Highline

Pinal County officials confirmed that four people died when a helicopter struck a suspended slackline and crashed into a canyon near Superior, Arizona, on the morning of Jan. 2. The victims were identified as 59-year-old David McCarty of Baker County; Rachel McCarty, 23; Faith McCarty, 21; and Katelyn Heideman, 21.

Preliminary accounts indicate the crash occurred about 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time after the aircraft made contact with a highline strung across the mountain range. An eyewitness called 911 reporting the helicopter struck part of the line before falling into the canyon. The helicopter was an MD 369FF. The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched an investigator to the scene; on-scene work was reported complete and the aircraft will be transported to a secure facility for further evaluation. A preliminary factual report is expected in about 30 days, while the final report may take 12 to 24 months.

The pilot, McCarty, owned Columbia Basin Helicopters, a company based in La Grande; he also maintained a home in Queen Creek, Arizona. His deaths, and those of three young relatives, have struck rural communities connected to his business and family. Beyond the immediate grief, the loss underscores how a single crash can ripple through small communities that rely on local entrepreneurs and family networks.

Regulatory and safety questions have surfaced quickly. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued a NOTAM notifying pilots about the highline being in place from Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 6, 2026. Investigators and recreational groups are examining whether the notification reached aircraft operating near the ridge, how visible or marked the line was, and whether additional measures could reduce collision risk between aircraft and recreation equipment in shared airspace.

The International Slackline Association released a statement following the crash and authorities have asked witnesses or anyone with video of the incident to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. The incident points to broader public health and safety considerations: as outdoor recreation in remote terrain grows, so does the need for clearer coordination among recreationists, land managers, and aviation authorities to protect both pilots and people on the ground.

For Baker County, the immediate concerns are grieving family members, the future of a locally based aviation business, and community safety. In the months ahead, the NTSB factual report and any subsequent recommendations will be closely watched by local officials, pilots, and outdoor recreation organizers as they seek to prevent a tragedy like this from recurring.