Oregon leaders join the call for temporary flight restrictions due to slacklines
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Leaders in the state of Oregon are urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to consider implementing emergency temporary flight restrictions over areas where active slacklining and highlining events are taking place. That comes on the heels of the January helicopter crash in Arizona that took the lives of four East Oregonians.
“On Jan. 2, we lost four invaluable residents from my district due to an entirely preventable accident,” Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) said. “Our job as leaders is to ensure that there are rules and regulations to safeguard human life – and that when tragedy occurs, we respond swiftly.”
Earlier this month, Oregon’s delegation to the U.S. Senate issued a similar call to the director of the FAA. Now, letters have been submitted to both agencies by Gov. Tina Kotek, the Oregon Department of Aviation, and a bipartisan coalition of Oregon state legislators.
“Recent events, including the tragic helicopter collision with a highline or slackline near Superior, Arizona, underscore critical gaps in how aerial hazards are communicated to pilots and warrant thoughtful, swift action by the FAA,” the letter for the Oregon Department of Aviation stated.
Slacklining and highlining have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly in scenic and recreational areas that may also attract low-flying aircraft. While these activities are often permitted and coordinated at the local level, state officials believe that the absence of clear federal airspace protocols creates potential hazards for both aviators and participants.
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