Investigator plans to incorporate slackline alert in helicopter crash probe

New details have emerged following the tragic helicopter crash that occurred outside Superior last Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a warning to pilots about a slackline in the area where the crash happened, but the alert system itself has been experiencing frequent malfunctions and is currently undergoing updates. A slackline is a rope that is strung between two points, typically used by "slackliners." In this case, a one-kilometer-long line was strung across the canyon outside Superior. The helicopter, piloted by David McCarty, 59, took off from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek and was carrying his nieces - Katelyn Heidman and sisters Rachel and Faith McCarty on the morning of his wedding. Tragically, the helicopter collided with the slackline, ultimately resulting in the deaths of all four occupants. The family of the victims has identified them and shared that McCarty had planned to show his family the area's scenery before his ceremony. Safety expert Cary Grant from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University highlighted the challenge of monitoring activities in airspace, emphasizing the importance of improved systems. The FAA had issued a warning about the slackline through a Notice to Air Missions, but there are questions about the notification's effectiveness since the helicopter departed from Queen Creek, not Superior where the notice was linked. Grant mentioned that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate various aspects of the incident, including the pilot, the helicopter, and the slackliners. The FAA has been working on updating its warning system, with a comprehensive upgrade expected soon. Grant emphasized the importance for the aviation community to remain vigilant, stating that aviation is unforgiving. The International Slackline Association expressed condolences over the tragedy and confirmed that markers were in place on the slackline, and the FAA had been informed about it. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within the next 30 days.