NBC4 News Helicopter Crash in Chatsworth Kills Three Amid Bus Collision
An NBC4 news helicopter crashed and burned in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on Tuesday night, killing at least three people. The incident occurred near the scene of a deadly Metro bus collision, which had drawn multiple news crews to the area. The helicopter, identified as NewsChopper4, went down between two commercial buildings, igniting a fire that damaged nearby vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, while the bus collision earlier in the evening left three dead and six injured. Officials confirmed the helicopter crew members as Angel City Air employees Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw, with a third victim identified as a pedestrian on the ground.
Key points
- At least three people died in the NBC4 helicopter crash in Chatsworth, with a fourth person hospitalized for a panic attack.
- The helicopter, NewsChopper4, was covering a nearby Metro bus collision that left three dead and six injured.
- The crash occurred in the 9100 block of Mason Avenue, igniting a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers.
- The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
- The helicopter crew included Angel City Air employees Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.
Background
This incident follows a pattern of aviation tragedies involving news helicopters, such as the 1977 crash of KNBC reporter Francis Gary Powers in Encino. The Chatsworth crash occurred in a high-traffic area already swarming with emergency and news personnel due to the earlier bus collision, highlighting the risks faced by aerial news crews in urban environments.
How outlets are covering it
The Hollywood Reporter and NBC Los Angeles both confirmed the helicopter as NewsChopper4 and reported the same casualty figures. The Los Angeles Times provided additional details on the bus collision, noting an SUV smashed into a Metro bus, trapping riders. All outlets emphasized the NTSB’s investigation, while The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the identities of the helicopter crew, a detail not mentioned by the other sources.
Why it matters
The crash underscores the dangers faced by news helicopters in urban areas, particularly when covering high-profile incidents. It also raises questions about safety protocols for aerial news coverage in crowded, emergency zones. The NTSB investigation will likely shed light on the cause of the crash, potentially influencing future safety regulations for news aviation.
What to watch
The NTSB is expected to send investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration will also be involved in the investigation. Authorities are working to identify the helicopter and assess the extent of the damage, while the community mourns the loss of the three victims.
- NBC4 Helicopter Crash in L.A. Leaves at Least 3 Dead, Authorities Say The Hollywood Reporter
- Helicopter providing coverage for NBCLA, Telemundo 52 crashes in Los Angeles NBC Los Angeles
- 3 killed in TV news helicopter crash while covering deadly L.A. bus collision KTLA
- NBC4 helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, killing 3: ‘A deeply traumatic day’ Los Angeles Times
- NBC News Helicopter Crashes in Los Angeles, Killing Three WSJ
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