Four Killed As Private Helicopter Crashes In Remote Arizona Canyon | World News

A private helicopter crashed in a rugged and mountainous area in central Arizona on Friday, killing all four people on board, local authorities confirmed.

The victims included the 59-year-old pilot, two 21-year-old women and another 22-year-old woman, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. According to Kens5, the identities of those killed have not been notified to their families yet.

The crash occurred around 11 a.m. near Telegraph Canyon, a remote area located about 64 miles east of Phoenix. Preliminary information indicates that the helicopter may have crashed into a recreational slack line running across the canyon. Officials said the line stretched for more than half a mile through mountainous terrain.

The sheriff’s office said a witness contacted emergency services after observing the helicopter collide with part of the slack line before plunging into the canyon below. The impact caused the aircraft to crash in an inaccessible area, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

The helicopter reportedly left an airport in the town of Queen Creek, about 46 miles west of the crash site, earlier in the day. Because the area was isolated and the terrain was rugged, emergency crews had to walk for hours to reach the wreckage.

The sheriff’s office said that as a precaution, temporary flight restrictions were placed in the area to ensure the safety of responders and prevent further incidents.

Federal authorities opened a formal investigation into the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will jointly review the circumstances leading to the incident, including the aircraft’s flight path, mechanical condition and slack rope placement, Kens5 reported.

Officials have not yet determined whether the slack line is properly marked or visible from the air. Inspectors are expected to assess whether safety regulations are being followed and whether additional measures are needed to prevent similar accidents in the future.

“Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time,” the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, adding that more details would be shared as the investigation progresses.

The incident has renewed concerns about aviation safety in recreation areas where aircraft and outdoor activities intersect.