Accidents
Aviation Coalition Aims To Rein in Slackline Hazards
Striking objects at low altitude is one of the greatest risks to helicopter operations
Slackline across Superior Canyon
The slackline across the canyon near Superior, Arizona, was identified by a notam, but finding the notam is challenging unless pilots know to look for it. © NTSB

After a fatal crash involving a helicopter that struck a slackline across a canyon near Superior, Arizona, on January 2, VAI, AOPA, and the National Agricultural Aviation Association are leading a coalition of aviation associations asking the FAA to revise processes for identifying and notifying pilots about the hazards of slacklines.

Slacklining is a sport where participants walk across a webbed line. In this case, it was strung across the canyon at 600 feet agl. The setup included the main slackline to which a backup line was attached; the participant is usually attached to the backup line in case of a fall off the main line. Multiple windsocks and LED lights were attached to a separate signal line that marked the location of the slackline.

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