Helicopter crash in Arizona canyon kills four

A helicopter crash in a remote Arizona canyon on January 2, 2026, tragically killed pilot David McCarty and his three nieces—Katelyn Heideman and sisters Rachel and Faith McCarty—on what was supposed to be his wedding day. The helicopter reportedly struck a slackline before plunging to the canyon floor shortly after takeoff from Pegasus Airpark. Eyewitnesses noted the blades detaching moments before the crash, and family members described the loss as devastating for their close-knit community in Echo, Oregon. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident to determine the cause.

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