Helicopter crashes in Arizona mountains, crews struggle to reach remote site: authorities
A private helicopter with four people on board crashed Friday in the mountains near Phoenix, authorities said.
Crews are working to access the remote crash site, located in the mountains near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, Arizona, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. The injuries have not yet been confirmed, the sheriff’s office said Friday afternoon.
Authorities respond to a helicopter crash near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, Arizona, on January 2, 2026.
credit: Pinal County Sheriff’s Office
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time on Friday and involved an MD 369FF helicopter, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA confirmed that four people were on board the helicopter.
The helicopter took off from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek, Ariz., located west of Superior, according to the sheriff’s office.
Superior is nearly 70 miles east of Phoenix.
Authorities respond to a helicopter crash near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, Arizona, on January 2, 2026.
credit: Pinal County Sheriff’s Office
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the accident.
A temporary flight restriction was issued by the FAA over the area “to provide a safe environment for search and rescue operations,” according to the notice.
