Four people died Friday morning when a private helicopter crashed in a mountainous area near Superior, in Arizona, as announced by U.S. authorities.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a MD 369FF helicopter went down near Telegraph Canyon around 11:00 local time shortly after departing from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek.
The victims included the pilot, a 59-year-old man, adn three relatives aged 22, 21, and 21.David McCarty, the pilot, was a passionate aviator who had planned the flight as a special experience for his nieces on what should have been a joyous wedding day. The party quickly transformed into a heartbreaking tragedy.
Initial investigations by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office suggest the aircraft struck a recreational slackline stretched across the canyon before crashing.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter hit the line just moments before the impact. A temporary flight restriction had previously been issued for the area.
Investigators are currently determining whether the slackline was legally installed on federal land.
The national Transportation Safety board and the FAA are leading the investigation.
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