A news helicopter providing aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 crashed Tuesday evening in Los Angeles, California, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. in a parking lot near a self-storage facility in Chatsworth, a community located within the San Fernando Valley, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The aircraft, operated by Angel City Air, had been actively providing aerial news coverage for the local NBC and Telemundo affiliates before contact was lost.
"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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives." NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, Joint Statement
NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams, during the station’s live coverage, became visibly emotional as she announced the crash. "We knew it was a news chopper, we knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received the confirmation that, in fact, NewsChopper 4 went down just before 7 o’clock tonight in Chatsworth," Williams stated, adding that the station would take time to process the tragic events.
Authorities confirmed that three people were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Two others were transported to a hospital, though their conditions were not immediately disclosed. NBC Los Angeles later identified the two individuals aboard the helicopter as aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both of whom were employees of Angel City Air.
Moreno, a native of Orange County, pursued her higher education at Chapman University, graduating in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She began her career with Angel City Air’s helicopter operation in the same year, dedicating years to covering breaking news stories across Southern California. Marciniw, also a Southern California native, was a graduate of Burbank High School. NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement mourning the loss of their colleagues. “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 stations conveyed. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
The helicopter had been dispatched to cover another unfolding deadly incident in Chatsworth involving a Los Angeles Metro bus and an SUV. That collision had resulted in multiple fatalities and sent several individuals to the hospital. Firefighters were actively engaged in extricating trapped victims and treating passengers when news helicopters arrived to cover the scene.
A witness, Zareh Sevanesian, recounted noticing irregularities with the helicopter’s flight path just moments before it crashed. “As we were driving I looked over to my left,” Sevanesian described. “I saw the helicopter — something didn’t look right. And I told my wife, ‘That helicopter is not flying right.’” He further elaborated that the aircraft appeared to lose altitude before impacting the ground and erupting into flames. Sevanesian characterized the resulting fire as "one of the most violent fires I had ever seen."
Los Angeles firefighters and police officers, who were already in the vicinity responding to the initial bus collision, quickly redirected their efforts to the helicopter crash site. They discovered the aircraft fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to nearby vehicles in the parking lot.
Federal agencies have initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced its participation in the probe, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation. The NTSB confirmed Wednesday that it is investigating the Sept. 15 crash of a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 helicopter in Chatsworth.
Local political leaders have also expressed their sorrow and condolences. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass characterized the night's events as “a heartbreaking night for our city.” California Governor Gavin Newsom offered his condolences to the victims of both the Metro bus collision and the helicopter crash, as well as to the NBC4 community. As the NTSB continues its investigation, former colleagues and mentors of Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw have begun sharing memories, remembering Moreno as "a beautiful soul" and a passionate journalist dedicated to her craft.
