NTSB Secures Chatsworth Helicopter Wreckage as Investigation Deepens
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken possession of the Eurocopter EC-135-P2 wreckage from the fatal crash in Chatsworth, California, to conduct a detailed evaluation at a secure facility. The crash, which occurred while the helicopter was covering a nearby bus collision, resulted in the deaths of pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and a bystander. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn described the incident as a 'terrible tragedy,' honoring the victims as heroes who dedicated their careers to saving lives. While the NTSB is reviewing cockpit video and maintenance records, the focus remains on determining the specific mechanical or operational causes of the loss of control.
Key points
- The NTSB has identified the crashed aircraft as a Eurocopter EC-135-P2 and has moved it to a secure facility for evaluation.
- The crash resulted in a total death toll of three: pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and one bystander.
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn publicly condemned the crash as a 'terrible tragedy' and praised the victims for their dedication to saving lives.
- The NTSB is currently analyzing cockpit video, maintenance records, and pilot training data to determine the cause of the accident.
Background
This incident occurred on September 16, 2026, in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, shortly after a separate SUV-bus collision that killed three people. The helicopter was covering the bus crash when it crashed and burned. Earlier investigations highlighted that the aircraft was hovering at a low altitude in a dangerous 'dead man’s curve' zone, with audio evidence suggesting a loss of rotor RPM or hydraulic failure that made an autorotation difficult. A 36-year-old woman, Bailee Lynn Rios, was charged with murder in connection to the bus crash, which added to the scrutiny of the day's events.
Why it matters
The NTSB's secure handling of the wreckage is critical for determining the root cause of the crash, which could reveal systemic safety issues in news aviation. The incident has intensified public and regulatory scrutiny regarding the risks of low-altitude news helicopter operations, particularly in complex urban environments where 'dead man’s curve' hazards are prevalent.
What to watch
The NTSB will continue its evaluation of the aircraft at the secure facility, integrating data from cockpit recordings and maintenance logs. The investigation aims to release a final report detailing the mechanical or operational failures that led to the loss of control, which may influence future safety protocols for news helicopters.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on apnews.com