An NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed on Tuesday evening while covering a fatal bus collision in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, resulting in three fatalities, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department and the station. The crash, which was reported just before 7 p.m. in a parking lot near a self-storage facility on Mason Avenue, killed the two crew members aboard—aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw—and one person on the ground, officials said.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 operated by Angel City Air, went down between two commercial buildings after losing contact with the station, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department and NBC Los Angeles broadcasts. Anchor Colleen Williams confirmed the tragedy during an emotional live broadcast, telling viewers that NewsChopper 4 had gone down just before 7 p.m. Gross stated at a late-night news conference that three people were dead at the scene, while two others were transported to the hospital with conditions initially unavailable. Fire Captain Branden Silverman noted that one of the deceased victims appeared to be a pedestrian on the ground, and additional reporting from ABC7news.com noted that one nearby individual suffered an apparent panic attack.
The aerial crew was among multiple aircraft covering a separate, fatal collision that occurred earlier on Tuesday afternoon. According to the fire department, a Los Angeles Metro bus and a passenger vehicle collided on Nordhoff Street at 5:03 p.m., leaving two people dead and trapping others before firefighters intervened.
Federal Investigation and Official Reactions
Federal regulators have launched a formal inquiry into the disaster. Emergency personnel rushed to the burning wreckage shortly before 7 p.m., finding the aircraft fully engulfed in flames that had spread to nearby parked cars, according to Silverman.
City and state leaders expressed profound grief following the dual tragedies in the San Fernando Valley. Speaking near the scene on Tuesday night, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called it a heartbreaking night for the city, stating that five Angelenos lost their lives across the bus collision and the aircraft crash. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also shared condolences on X, thanking first responders for working tirelessly and expressing support for the victims’ families and the entire NBC4 family.
Did You Know? The helicopter involved in the crash was operated by Angel City Air, a full-service aerial production company, and the pilot and photojournalist aboard had begun flying together in 2023, according to local news reports.
Victims Remembered by Colleagues and Community
NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement honoring the fallen crew members, stating they were deeply saddened by the fatal accident and extending heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims. Eliana Moreno, an aerial photojournalist who was born in Orange County and graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science, had flown in news helicopters since joining Angel City Air’s team that same year. Pilot George Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974, according to station records and reporting compiled by NBC New York.
As investigators pore through the rubble and secure the site on Mason Avenue, the broader Southern California media community continues to process the sudden loss of two prominent aerial news professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the helicopter crash in Chatsworth?
The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are actively investigating the incident.
Who was killed in the helicopter crash?
The victims aboard the helicopter were aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air. One person on the ground was also killed.
What event was the helicopter covering prior to the crash?
The helicopter was providing aerial news coverage of a fatal collision between a Los Angeles Metro bus and a passenger vehicle that occurred earlier that evening on Nordhoff Street.
How are you processing the risks faced by frontline news crews during breaking local emergencies?
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