FAA Notice Warned of Slackline Before Fatal Arizona Helicopter Crash

Federal aviation records confirm that a notice was issued to pilots warning of a tightrope stretched across a mountainous area of Arizona. This advisory served to alert aviators about the presence of a temporary obstacle in the region. The documentation highlights the procedural steps taken by aviation authorities to communicate potential hazards to flight crews operating in that airspace.

The source material focuses specifically on the existence of this warning within official records. It does not provide details regarding the specific date the notice was issued, the exact coordinates of the obstacle, or the timeline relative to the fatal helicopter crash. The primary fact established is that a warning regarding a temporary obstacle was formally distributed to pilots.

According to Federal aviation records, a specific notice was circulated to pilots regarding a tightrope installation. The records indicate that this obstacle was situated in a mountainous region of Arizona. The purpose of the notice was to provide a clear warning to watch out for this temporary obstruction during flight operations.

The documentation serves as evidence that aviation authorities were aware of the potential hazard. By issuing the notice, the intent was to mitigate risks associated with low-altitude flight in areas where such obstacles might be present. The source content does not elaborate on the specific agencies involved beyond the general designation of Federal aviation records.

The obstacle in question is described explicitly as a tightrope. In the context of aviation safety, a tightrope represents a thin, high-tensile cable that can be extremely difficult to spot from the air, particularly at high speeds or in varying light conditions. The presence of such an object in a flight path constitutes a significant safety risk.

The notice categorized this as a temporary obstacle. This classification implies that the tightrope was not a permanent fixture of the landscape but rather a setup intended for a limited duration. However, the source material does not specify:

• The duration of the installation
• The specific event or purpose for the tightrope
• The exact altitude or span of the obstacle

Despite the lack of these details, the issuance of the notice underscores the importance of pilot vigilance regarding non-standard hazards in navigable airspace.

The incident location is identified as a mountainous area within the state of Arizona. Arizona is known for its rugged terrain, which presents inherent challenges for aviation navigation. Mountainous regions often feature unpredictable wind patterns and limited visibility, making the presence of an additional obstacle particularly hazardous.

While the source material does not name the specific mountain range or city, the reference to a mountainous area suggests a setting away from major urban centers, likely involving recreational or specialized flight operations. The combination of complex terrain and a temporary obstacle highlights the critical need for up-to-date flight information.

Federal aviation records document the issuance of a warning to pilots concerning a tightrope stretched across a mountainous area of Arizona. This notice was designed to alert aviators to the presence of a temporary obstacle. The records confirm that steps were taken to communicate this hazard to the aviation community, though the source material does not provide further details regarding the specific circumstances of the crash or the timeline of events.