Four family members, including a man and his three nieces, tragically lost their lives in a devastating helicopter crash just hours before the man’s scheduled wedding ceremony. The pilot, David McCarty, 59, had taken Rachel McCarty, 22, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, also 21, for a flight in a private aircraft as a pre-wedding outing before his marriage to Joelleen Linstrom.
The fatal incident occurred on January 2 when their helicopter collided with a slackline in Arizona, approximately 64 miles east of Phoenix, in the rugged Telegraph Canyon area. An eyewitness reported witnessing the helicopter hitting a part of the line before plummeting from the sky.
Emergency responders faced challenges reaching the remote crash site on foot, with crews arriving around 5 pm, confirming the deaths of all occupants later that evening.
The ill-fated flight had departed earlier that day from an airport in Queen Creek, a suburb of Phoenix where McCarty also resided. To facilitate recovery and investigation efforts, the FAA imposed a temporary flight restriction over the region. The sheriff’s office extended condolences to the victims and their families.
McCarty, a seasoned aviation professional, was the founder of Columbia Basin Helicopters, established in 1997 and based in La Grande. Described as a skilled pilot and a devoted family man, he was well-regarded by friends and relatives.
Mary Jane Heideman, Katelyn’s mother and Rachel and Faith’s aunt, expressed profound sorrow, mentioning the bright futures the girls had ahead. Elizabeth Gallup, another niece of McCarty, shared a poignant message online, acknowledging the devastating losses suffered by their family.
The heartfelt message conveyed gratitude for the outpouring of support and requested continued prayers for all affected family members during this time of immense grief.