Three Dead, Including Reporter and Pilot After Devastating NBC4 News Helicopter Crash in Los Angeles

Tragedy struck in Chatsworth, California, when an NBC4 Los Angeles news helicopter crashed and burst into flames. The NewsChopper4 aircraft was providing aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 of a separate fatal traffic collision involving an SUV and a Los Angeles Metro bus.

Three people were killed in the helicopter crash, including pilot George Marciniw and reporter and aerial journalist Eliana Moreno. A third person on the ground was also killed, while two other people were later reported to have been hospitalised. Their conditions had not been publicly revealed.

The helicopter, known as NewsChopper4, went down shortly before 7pm on Tuesday, 15 September. NBC and Telemundo 52 have since released a statement:

'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.'

News Chopper Crashed While Covering Nearby Collision

Several news helicopters were in the area reporting on the crash between the SUV and Metro bus. One eyewitness told NBC4 that she noticed the helicopter 'swaying' moments before the crash.

'My husband's in law enforcement. He said the helicopter is looking strange. We noticed that it was swaying. Five seconds later... we saw large smoke.'

According to an NBC4 report, several people on the ground rushed to the crash site shortly after to try to help the people on board. The resulting fire damaged four vehicles and two storage containers, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Jennifer Middleton. Emergency crews responded rapidly, with dozens of firefighters attending the scene.

LAFD Capt. Branden Silverman described the wreckage as heavily damaged during the initial response. He added, 'So we are going to have to go through the rubble and see how many victims there were on board, as well as identify the helicopter; we couldn't even see a tail.'

NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams confirmed the crash during a live broadcast, telling viewers that the station had lost contact with its helicopter crew. The station later confirmed that Moreno and Marciniw had been killed.

Tributes Pour Out for the Victims

Colleagues and loved ones poured out tributes to the fallen shortly after learning about the incident.

Moreno was a longtime aerial reporter who joined Angel City Air's helicopter team in September 2010 and had reported for several Southern California media outlets. She covered several major events from the air, including wildfires and police pursuits. Meanwhile, Marciniw was a veteran pilot and flight instructor with more than 14,000 flight hours.

NBC4 colleague Roland Sprewell, who also covers breaking news from NewsChopper4, posted a tribute to Moreno and pilot George Marciniw: 'Spread your wings and fly Eliana and George.' Sprewell added, 'Thank you, Sis, for training me to be an airborne reporter/photographer. Rest in Power!'

NBC4 reporter Camilla Rambaldi also paid tribute to her colleagues, writing that the newsroom had 'lost two incredible NBC LA colleagues' and was 'hurting'.

The cause of the crash remained unclear, with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration set to investigate on Wednesday.