LOS ANGELES — A news helicopter used by NBC and Telemundo crashed Tuesday evening in the Chatsworth neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, killing three people. The aircraft, operated by Angel City Air, was covering a nearby SUV‑bus collision when it went down and burst into flames.
Crash details and victims
Anchor Colleen Williams of NBC4 Los Angeles announced during a live broadcast that the chopper went down just before 7 p.m. and that two people were confirmed dead. The station later identified the victims as Eliana Moreno, a veteran reporter for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air. A third victim was found outside a commercial building’s parking lot, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Branden Silverman.
Emergency response
More than 70 firefighters responded to the scene, battling the blaze that engulfed the helicopter and surrounding vehicles. At least four cars and two storage containers were also set on fire before the fire was contained. Two additional people were transported to a hospital; their conditions have not been released.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the tragedy at a news conference, expressing deep sorrow for the victims and the Chatsworth community. “Losing five Angelenos is very painful,” Bass said, referring to the combined death toll from the helicopter and the earlier bus crash.
Earlier bus collision
About two hours before the helicopter went down, an SUV slammed into the side of a city bus, killing at least two people and injuring six others. Video footage posted online showed the SUV half‑embedded in the bus. NBC4 reporter Robert Kovacik, who was on the bus scene, witnessed the helicopter crash and reported seeing black smoke before rushing to the crash site.
Investigation underway
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will send investigators to the Chatsworth site on Wednesday to determine the cause of the crash. This incident adds to a record of eight fatal news‑helicopter crashes in the United States since 2000, which have claimed 16 lives.
Community reaction
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 released a statement expressing deep sadness and offering heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives. Governor Gavin Newsom also thanked emergency crews on X, stating, “Our hearts are with the victims and families.”
The tragedy underscores the risks faced by journalists covering breaking news and the dedication of first‑responders who work tirelessly to protect the public.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
