A fatal helicopter crash Saturday in Arizona killed all four people aboard, including a pilot from La Grande, Oregon.

Police in Pinal County, just south of Phoenix, first received reports of the crash around 11 a.m. An eyewitness reportedly saw the helicopter collide with “a recreational slackline” before it fell into a canyon, according to a statement issued Saturday night.

The pilot was 59-year-old David McCarty, who owns Columbia Basin Helicopters based out of La Grande, according to the East Oregonian.

The death toll includes three relatives of McCarty: Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty and Katelyn Heideman. It’s unclear if the other three victims have connections to Oregon. David McCarty also owned a home in Queen Creek, Arizona, just southeast of Phoenix.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/04/helicopter-crashes-in-arizona-mountains-killing-4-people-aboard/