Three killed after Los Angeles news helicopter crashes while covering fatal bus collision

On Tuesday evening, a news helicopter operated by Angel City Air crashed in Chatsworth, a suburb of Los Angeles. The aircraft, flying to provide aerial coverage for NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, went down just before 7:00 PM local time, igniting a devastating fire that engulfed multiple vehicles and storage containers. Three individuals tragically lost their lives in the incident, while two others were transported to a local hospital for medical attention.

The helicopter's two crew members, aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, were among the fatalities, with their identities confirmed by the station. A third fatality occurred on the ground, but their identity remains undisclosed pending notification to the family.

The helicopter's crash occurred in the vicinity of a severe transit accident that had taken place earlier in the day. At around 5:03 PM, a sports utility vehicle collided with a Los Angeles Metro city bus on Nordhoff Street, resulting in two deaths and six injuries. Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) were already present at the scene of the bus collision when the helicopter met its untimely fate.

Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter displaying erratic behavior before descending rapidly and crashing into a large fire.

The newsroom community across Southern California responded with shock and grief upon learning of the disaster during live broadcasts. NBC4's veteran news anchor, Colleen Williams, expressed the collective disbelief, stating, "We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received confirmation."

LAFD Captain Branden Silverman provided early updates from the ground, revealing that one person had been found outside the helicopter when it crashed and had been pronounced deceased on the scene. Witness Zareh Sevanesian described the harrowing moments from the street, recounting the chaotic scene near the wreckage and calling it "one of the most violent fires" he had ever witnessed.

In the aftermath of the incident, elected officials from both the Los Angeles Police Department and Mayor Karen Bass issued public condolences to the families and colleagues affected by the tragedy. Mayor Bass expressed her deepest sorrow, declaring, "My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash."

California Governor Gavin Newsom also offered his sympathies, stating that "our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight's devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family," while acknowledging the essential role of emergency personnel in such crises. The news organizations involved, NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, released a joint statement expressing their profound sadness at the loss of life and extending heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have assumed control of the ongoing investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.