A helicopter providing aerial news coverage crashed Tuesday night in Los Angeles, killing journalist Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and a third person on the ground. The aircraft went down between two buildings in the Chatsworth neighborhood while covering a deadly bus crash in downtown Los Angeles. A fourth person was injured and taken to a local hospital, while the cause of the crash remained under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration planned to send investigators to the site Wednesday.
The helicopter belonged to NBC4 Los Angeles and was operated by Angel City Air, the charter company responsible for the network’s NewsChopper4. The crash produced a large fireball and prompted an emergency response from local authorities.
| 1) | Victims identified after the Los Angeles crash |
| 2) | News helicopter was covering a separate crash |
| 3) | Impact in Chatsworth killed a person on the ground |
| 4) | Investigators prepare to examine the wreckage |
| 5) | Colleagues and officials respond to the deaths |
Victims identified after the Los Angeles crash
Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw were identified as two of the people killed in the Tuesday night helicopter crash. Both worked for Angel City Air, which operated the helicopter used for NBC4 Los Angeles aerial reporting. Moreno was known for her long-running aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 and was associated with the nickname “Eli in the Heli.” She had worked closely with Marciniw since 2023.
Marciniw was a Southern California native and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. A third fatality, a person on the ground, had not been identified in the available information.
News helicopter was covering a separate crash
The helicopter was flying as journalists covered a deadly bus crash in downtown Los Angeles. NBC4 confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the network, while Angel City Air operated it. During the assignment, the helicopter lost altitude before crashing.
The circumstances surrounding the loss of altitude were not immediately established. Investigators were expected to determine the aircraft’s flight path, operating conditions and mechanical or other contributing factors through an examination of the crash site and available records.
Impact in Chatsworth killed a person on the ground
The helicopter came down between two buildings in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles. The impact generated a large fireball and killed at least three people, including the two occupants identified by NBC4 and one person on the ground.
A fourth person was injured and transported to a local hospital. Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Branden Silverman told reporters that the injured person’s condition was unknown. Emergency responders worked at the site after the crash, while the location remained the focus of the investigation.
Investigators prepare to examine the wreckage
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration said investigators would travel to the crash site Wednesday, September 16, to examine what caused the helicopter to lose altitude and crash. Their work is expected to include documenting the wreckage and reviewing evidence relevant to the flight.
No cause had been announced in the immediate aftermath. The agencies’ investigation will address the aircraft’s operation, the events before the impact and the conditions at the Chatsworth site. Further findings were not available at the time of reporting.
Colleagues and officials respond to the deaths
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed condolences to the victims’ families, friends and colleagues. The statement described the aircraft as providing aerial news coverage and confirmed that the accident was fatal.
“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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also expressed sympathy for the victims and families of the bus and helicopter crashes and thanked first responders working at the scene.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were killed. |
| 2 | A third person on the ground also died, and another person was injured. |
| 3 | NTSB and FAA investigators were scheduled to examine the Chatsworth crash site. |
Summary
The fatal Los Angeles helicopter crash killed two aviation news employees and a person on the ground while the aircraft was being used to cover another deadly incident. The investigation by federal aviation authorities is intended to establish why the helicopter lost altitude and crashed in Chatsworth. Officials and colleagues have offered condolences as investigators begin examining the wreckage and circumstances of the flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the helicopter crash?
Eliana Moreno, a journalist, and George Marciniw, the pilot, were identified among the dead. A third person on the ground also died.
Where did the crash occur?
The helicopter crashed between two buildings in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles.
What agencies are investigating?
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration planned to send investigators to the site on Wednesday.
