LOS ANGELES — NBC4 Los Angeles aerial journalist Eliana Moreno and veteran pilot George Marciniw were killed when NewsChopper4 crashed in Chatsworth on Tuesday evening while covering a deadly Metro bus collision nearby. A third person on the ground was also killed, while another person was taken to hospital.
The helicopter, which provided aerial coverage for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, went down shortly before 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue, between two commercial buildings in the San Fernando Valley.
The aircraft was operated by Angel City Air. NBC4 and Telemundo 52 later issued a joint statement saying they were “deeply saddened” by the fatal accident and offered condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died.
• Three people were killed in the helicopter crash.
• One additional person was hospitalized.
• NewsChopper4 was providing aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
• The aircraft was operated by Angel City Air.
• Four vehicles and two storage containers were damaged by the resulting fire.
• More than 50 firefighters responded.
• Federal investigators are examining what caused the helicopter to go down.
The crash happened less than two hours after another deadly emergency nearby. An SUV had collided with a Los Angeles Metro bus near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, drawing television helicopters into the area.
Full details of that earlier incident are available in our separate report on the Chatsworth Metro bus crash and emergency response.
Who were Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw?
Eliana Moreno was an experienced aerial photojournalist and reporter who had spent years covering some of Southern California’s biggest breaking-news stories from helicopters.
She graduated from Chapman University in 2010 after studying broadcast journalism and political science. She later joined Angel City Air as an aerial photojournalist.
Moreno’s work frequently put her above police pursuits, wildfires, major crashes and other unfolding emergencies across Los Angeles.
Her role was considerably more demanding than simply delivering reports from a helicopter. Moreno had previously described working as a photographer, reporter and editor while in flight, gathering pictures while simultaneously monitoring developments and communicating information back to the newsroom.
Over the years, she became a familiar presence to viewers watching NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52’s aerial breaking-news coverage.
George Marciniw, who was piloting NewsChopper4, was an experienced Southern California helicopter pilot. Reports identifying Marciniw following the crash described him as having more than 14,000 hours of flying experience.
Marciniw had flown news helicopters over Southern California, where pilots routinely operate above wildfires, traffic collisions, police incidents and other fast-changing scenes.
Moreno and Marciniw were working together Tuesday evening as NewsChopper4 covered the Metro bus collision in Chatsworth.
Just after 5 p.m. — Emergency crews respond to a collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in Chatsworth.
Early evening — Firefighters begin extricating victims from the heavily damaged vehicles. Several television helicopters arrive overhead to cover the developing story.
Before 7 p.m. — NewsChopper4 remains over the area providing aerial coverage for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52.
Around 6:57 p.m. — The helicopter crashes in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue between two commercial buildings.
Immediately after impact — A fire breaks out, damaging four vehicles and two storage containers. Witnesses describe the helicopter falling rapidly before impact.
Minutes later — More than 50 Los Angeles firefighters respond and extinguish the fire.
Later Tuesday night — Authorities confirm three deaths and one hospitalized person connected to the helicopter crash.
Tuesday night — NBC4 confirms that the aircraft was NewsChopper4 and says it had been providing coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
Wednesday — Federal aviation investigators begin gathering evidence as attention turns to the cause of the crash.
What investigators know about the crash so far
Los Angeles Fire Department officials said the helicopter came down between two commercial buildings on North Mason Avenue.
The impact triggered a fire that scorched four vehicles and two storage containers. Firefighters brought the flames under control, but officials described the helicopter as extensively destroyed.
A witness interviewed by NBC Los Angeles said the helicopter appeared to come straight down before striking the ground and erupting in flames.
That eyewitness account is expected to be examined alongside video, flight data and physical evidence, but investigators have not said what caused the aircraft to descend.
At least one of the people killed was on the ground in the parking area when the helicopter crashed.
One additional person was transported to hospital. Officials have not released comprehensive details about that person’s injuries.
NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams announced during the station’s coverage that the helicopter involved belonged to NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 later released a formal statement saying:
“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.”
The companies extended condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the two fatal incidents in Chatsworth as a heartbreaking night for the city and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed sympathy to the victims of both the Metro bus crash and the helicopter crash, as well as the NBC4 team.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are involved in the aviation investigation.
Investigators are expected to examine the wreckage, aircraft maintenance records, flight path, communications, weather conditions and video captured before the crash.
They may also review footage from other news helicopters that were operating over Chatsworth at the time.
No official cause of the NewsChopper4 crash has been announced.
• What caused NewsChopper4 to suddenly lose altitude?
• Were there any mechanical warnings before the crash?
• What will investigators find in the helicopter’s wreckage and maintenance records?
• What does available flight-tracking and video evidence show about the final seconds?
• When will federal investigators release their first preliminary findings?
The helicopter crash followed the earlier Metro collision by less than two hours, turning what had already been a major breaking-news assignment into a second deadly emergency for the journalists covering it.
This story is developing. It will be updated as the NTSB, FAA, NBC4 and Los Angeles authorities release additional information about the crash, the victims and the investigation.
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