A news helicopter used by NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles while covering a deadly traffic accident, killing three people.
The crash occurred shortly before 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday, September 15, in the San Fernando Valley. The helicopter went down near commercial buildings along North Mason Avenue and caught fire after impact.
Two People Aboard the Helicopter Killed
NBC Los Angeles confirmed that the aircraft was NewsChopper4, a helicopter used by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 for aerial news coverage and operated by Angel City Air.
Two people aboard the helicopter were killed in the crash. They were identified as reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air.
A third person was killed on the ground in a parking lot where the helicopter crashed. Two additional people were taken to a hospital, according to authorities.
Fire Breaks Out After Impact
The helicopter burst into flames after hitting the ground, prompting a major emergency response.
More than 70 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Several vehicles and storage containers were also damaged by the resulting fire before crews brought the flames under control.
Helicopter Was Covering Another Fatal Accident
The tragedy unfolded as the NewsChopper4 crew was covering a separate deadly crash in Chatsworth.
About two hours earlier, an SUV collided with a Los Angeles Metro bus. Authorities said two people were killed and at least six others were injured in that accident.
NewsChopper4 was among the news aircraft covering the bus crash from the air. The helicopter later went down roughly 1.5 miles from the scene of the original collision.
Federal Investigation Underway
The cause of the helicopter crash has not yet been determined.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the accident and are expected to examine the aircraft, flight data and other evidence to determine what caused the helicopter to go down.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed in the crash.
