A tragic helicopter crash in a secluded canyon in Arizona claimed the lives of a local man and his three nieces on what was meant to be a joyous day, his wedding day. Authorities believe the aircraft collided with a slackline stretched across the canyon, leading to the fatal accident.

Family members have identified the victims, and FOX 10 in Phoenix shared details of the heartbreaking incident. The crash occurred on Friday near Superior, located in Pinal County, to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The helicopter had just departed from Pegasus Airpark when it tragically descended to the canyon floor, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants.

The pilot, David McCarty, hailed from Queen Creek and originally from Oregon, was flying his nieces—Katelyn Heideman and sisters Rachel and Faith McCarty, all in their early twenties—for a scenic tour before the planned wedding festivities. The joyful occasion was to be marked by the ceremony later that day.

The community is mourning the loss of David McCarty, who perished in the crash on January 2, 2026, in Superior, Arizona. Joelleen Linstrom shared a heartfelt tribute to him on Facebook, reflecting the deep sorrow felt by friends and family alike.

David McCarty died in a helicopter crash in Superior, Ariz., on Jan. 2, 2026. (Joelleen Linstrom via Facebook)

Eyewitnesses told family members they saw the helicopter’s blades detach moments before it plunged to the canyon floor.

Relatives said McCarty was an experienced pilot who owned multiple helicopters and had flown the canyon numerous times without incident, adding that the short flight was meant to be a joyful outing ahead of what was supposed to be a celebratory day.

Rachel McCarty died in a helicopter crash in Superior, Ariz., on Jan. 2, 2026. (Rachel McCarty via Facebook)

“The families lost 50% of their children on the wedding day, which was supposed to be a celebration,” a family member told FOX 10 Phoenix. “It’s extremely tough. Nobody ever anticipates this sort of thing to happen, and it’s just heart-wrenching.”

The loss has rippled through the family’s hometown of Echo, Oregon, where relatives said the close-knit community is struggling to cope with the deaths of three young women at once.

Katelyn Heideman died in a helicopter crash in Superior, Ariz., on Jan. 2, 2026. (Katelyn Heideman via Facebook)

“They’re just struck with grief,” a relative told the station. “When they say it takes a village to raise a child, that’s the epitome of these communities. Everybody had a hand in raising these girls.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the crash to determine the official cause.