A tragic accident occurred on January 2, 2026, when a helicopter carrying four Oregonians likely crashed into a slackline in an Arizona canyon. The victims included pilot David McCarty, 59, and his three nieces, Rachel, Faith, and Caitlin McCarty, all in their twenties. Witnesses reported that the helicopter crashed after hitting a slackline suspended 600 feet above the ground.
The incident has highlighted the dangers associated with slacklining, an extreme sport that is gaining popularity but lacks sufficient oversight. While the International Slackline Association stated that no one was on the line during the crash and that safety markers were in place, concerns have been raised about the need for better communication between slackliners and pilots.
Many in the aviation community, including DJ Vegg, who knew the pilot, expressed frustration over the ineffective FAA Notification to Airmen (NOTAM) system that fails to emphasize relevant safety information. Corbin Kunst, an experienced slackliner and pilot, also noted the increase in longer slacklines and the associated risks, advocating for improved safety measures such as real-time communication with aircraft.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. Stakeholders are now calling for dialogue and regulatory changes to prevent future tragedies, emphasizing the need for slackline installations to be treated with the same caution as temporary flight restrictions.
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