A news helicopter in Los Angeles crashed on Tuesday while broadcasting live, resulting in the deaths of two crew members on board and a third individual on the ground.
The incident involved Angel City Air’s NewsChopper4, which was covering another bus accident in the Chatsworth area of northern Los Angeles, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. The outlet identified the deceased crew members as Angel City Air employees Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. Tragically, a person on the ground also lost their life when the helicopter went down.
“The helicopter is pretty much destroyed,” Fire Captain Brandon Silverman commented. “We need to sift through the wreckage to determine how many victims were on board and identify the helicopter; we couldn’t even spot a tail section.”
A video shared on X captured the helicopter descending before crashing between two commercial buildings. In the footage, Moreno can be heard questioning Marciniw about why he can’t pull up, right before the feed abruptly cuts off.
#BREAKING: NBC news helicopter crashes during live shot of bus crash in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/qEDWEauiST
— Insider Wire (@InsiderWire) September 16, 2026
In a statement from NBC4 and Telemundo 52 Los Angeles, the outlets expressed their profound sadness over the incident, stating, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom also addressed the tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and families affected by tonight’s devastating crashes involving the Metro bus and helicopter in Chatsworth, along with the entire NBC4 family. We appreciate the first responders who are working tirelessly tonight,” the governor remarked.
The crash is now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, as stated by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
As of now, the cause of the accident remains unknown.
Moreno and Marciniw were in the area to report on a fatal incident involving an L.A. Metro bus and an SUV, which had reportedly resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries, according to KTLA.
