The crash of an MD 530 last Friday resulted in the loss of David McCarty (Columbia Basin Helicopters), along with his three nieces. Sharpening the pain, the accident happened on what would have been McCarty’s wedding day, and such a devastating incident marred the start of the new year for many in the industry.
While the NTSB investigation is in its early stages, it appears that the accident came as the result of the separation of the main rotor following a collision with a high slack line that was strung across Telegraph Canyon near Superior, Arizona, about 65 miles east of Phoenix.
A high slack line is used by adventure sports enthusiasts who attempt to tightrope walk while harnessed to the line. The problem here is twofold: firstly, the NOTAM says that the line was lit and flagged, but it appears from images of the scene that it was only flagged at one end, and the lights were either not switched on or of inadequate strength. Certainly, from the images available, the line is very hard to see. More evidence of the inadequacy of the marking is that a second helicopter searching for the crashed aircraft nearly collided with the line.
The second factor is more concerning, since it reveals one of the failings of the FAA’s NOTAM system. The NOTAM only appears when a search of obstructions near Superior Municipal Airport reveals the notice. It would not show up on searches centred on other airports in the area – including Pegasus Air Park, where the flight began.
The NOTAM system is long overdue for reform. It is not fit for purpose, providing either an excess of information and masking the salient warnings – or, as in this case, the critical information is not revealed at all.
Doubtless, when the NTSB report is published it will include phrases like “the pilot’s failure to avoid collision” or “the pilot’s failure to take note of the NOTAM.”
McCardy was a hugely experienced pilot who was well versed in low-level operations, especially in the local area. The reality is that those phrases will mask that he, along with Rachel, Faith, and Kaitlyn, had their fates sealed and were failed by a pilot information system that is not fit for purpose and is long overdue for reform.
