OR House gives 4 crash victims a moment of silence
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The four people who lost their lives in a helicopter crash Jan. 2 in Arizona were honored with a moment of silence by the Oregon House of Representatives last week. Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) said she was honored to be visited by members of the McCarty and Heideman families in Salem.
“I ask that you please keep their families and our community in your thoughts and prayers and that every day you remind those in your life that you love them,” an emotional Levy told her peers in the House.
David McCarty, 59, and three of his nieces were killed when the helicopter McCarty was piloting crashed into a slackline in Arizona. Rachel McCarty, 23, of Echo; Faith McCarty, 21, of Echo; and Katelyn Heideman, 22, of Hermiston also died.
McCarty was a business owner in La Grande and lived in Baker County. His roots were in Echo and he also had a residence in Arizona. He and his family were gathered there for his wedding.
Photo of Rep. Levy speaking to the House of Representatives about the fatal Arizona helicopter crash
