NBC4 News Helicopter Crash in Chatsworth Kills Journalist, Pilot, and Pedestrian

An NBC4 Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday evening, killing the two crew members on board and one person on the ground, according to fire officials. The aircraft, identified as NewsChopper4, was covering a deadly bus collision when it went down shortly before 7 p.m. local time.

The Crash

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the helicopter crashed between two commercial buildings near the intersection of Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street. The impact sparked a fire that spread to four vehicles and two storage containers. More than 70 firefighters responded to the scene.

NewsChopper4 was operated by Angel City Air and provided aerial coverage for both NBC4 and its Spanish-language sister station, Telemundo 52. The helicopter was reporting on a fatal collision between an SUV and a Los Angeles Metro bus that had occurred about two hours earlier and killed two people.

Footage from the station’s live broadcast showed the helicopter’s camera feed shaking before going dark. NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams confirmed the crash on air during an emotional broadcast Tuesday night. ‘We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received confirmation,’ Williams said.

The Victims

The two crew members killed were identified as aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. A pedestrian on the ground was also killed, but their identity has not been released by authorities. Two other people were taken to a hospital, and their conditions were not immediately known.

Moreno, who was in her late 30s, was born in Orange County and graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. She joined Angel City Air the same year and reported for multiple Southern California news outlets. Known on her Instagram account as ‘Eli in the heli,’ she frequently shared images from her work in the news chopper. The pair began flying together in 2023.

Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. He had more than 30 years of flight experience and had logged approximately 14,000 flight hours, according to his professional profile. He was based at Whiteman Airport and was associated with Pacific Rotorways Helicopter Training.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. The helicopter was a Eurocopter AS350 B2. The cause remains unknown, and no preliminary findings have been released.

Video and audio captured in the moments before the impact have surfaced, with some aviation experts offering preliminary assessments. A veteran helicopter pilot who reviewed the audio suggested it may indicate an engine failure, but this has not been confirmed by investigators. The NTSB has not issued any statement on a possible cause.

Tributes and Official Response

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement expressing their condolences. ‘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.’

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was ‘absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight.’ In a statement posted on X, she added, ‘My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash.’ California Governor Gavin Newsom also posted on X, writing, ‘Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family.’

Colleagues and members of the local news community paid tribute to Moreno and Marciniw. CBS Los Angeles assignment editor Mike Rogers told the BBC, ‘That helicopter community is a small group of people, and it’s just devastating to know that this has happened to one of those people, to our friends and our colleagues at NBC4.’ Telemundo 52 described Moreno in a tribute as a ‘marvellous human.’

Current Status

The NTSB investigation is ongoing. The agency has not released a preliminary report or identified a probable cause. Funerals and memorial arrangements for the victims have not been announced. NBC4 and Telemundo 52 have continued broadcasting with tributes to their colleagues.