Eliana Moreno Helicopter Crash Under NTSB Probe After Cockpit Alarm Heard on Final Broadcast

Federal investigators are probing the NewsChopper4 crash that killed aerial journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw in Chatsworth after a cockpit alarm sounded on air during their final live broadcast.

The 15 September 2026 crash also killed 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the probe, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assisting.

Alarm Heard Before Final Descent

The Eurocopter AS350 had been covering a fatal Los Angeles Metro bus crash. It went down shortly before 7.00pm local time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that two people were aboard. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation.

Video from the final broadcast captured a beeping alarm as the helicopter lost altitude. Moreno said 'uh oh' before asking, 'You can't pull up?' The camera then shook as the aircraft descended.

Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said the sound resembled a low-rotor-RPM warning horn. The former NTSB and FAA investigator said it could point to engine power loss and falling rotor speed.

Investigators have not confirmed what triggered the alarm. They have also not determined the cause of the crash. The NTSB will examine the wreckage, aircraft systems and maintenance records. Investigators will also review flight data and operational records to establish what happened before impact.

News-Helicopter Safety Under Scrutiny

News helicopters often operate at low altitudes while crews track breaking events below. They may also share nearby airspace with police helicopters, emergency aircraft and other media crews.

That environment requires careful radio communication and safe separation. Guzzetti said news crews can face additional risks when pilots hover or manoeuvre near fast-moving scenes.

The crash has also drawn attention to emergency procedures after a helicopter loses power. Pilots can use autorotation, which allows airflow to keep the main rotor turning during a descent.

The manoeuvre can help a pilot maintain control, but altitude remains critical. A crew flying close to the ground has less time and space to manage the descent before impact.

Guzzetti said the pilot appeared to make an emergency manoeuvre aimed at preserving rotor speed. He cautioned that the helicopter's low altitude may have limited the pilot's options.

The NTSB has investigated other fatal crashes involving news helicopters. In 2014, a Eurocopter AS350B2 crashed in Seattle shortly after leaving a rooftop helipad, killing the pilot and a passenger.

Another news-helicopter training flight crashed in Charlotte in 2022. It killed both people aboard. Those investigations form part of the wider safety record surrounding aerial news operations.

Three Killed in Chatsworth Crash

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the helicopter crashed between two commercial buildings at 9151 North Mason Avenue. The impact sparked a fire that damaged nearby vehicles and storage containers.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze before emergency crews assessed four patients at the scene. Paramedics pronounced three people dead and took one person to the hospital in an unknown condition.

Angel City Air operated NewsChopper4 for NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Moreno joined the company's helicopter team in 2010, while she and Marciniw began flying together in 2023. The crew had been covering a separate bus collision in Chatsworth earlier that evening. That crash killed two people and injured six others.

Investigators have not announced a preliminary cause for the helicopter crash. The NTSB will release further findings as its examination continues.