Three people were killed when a news helicopter used by NBC4 and Telemundo affiliates crashed and burst into flames in the Chatsworth neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, according to the Los Angeles Times. The aircraft went down at approximately 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in a driveway between two commercial warehouses in the 9100 block of Mason Avenue, roughly 1.5 miles from the site of an earlier transit collision.
Tragic Crash in Chatsworth
The helicopter, identified as News Chopper 4, was providing aerial news coverage of a serious collision involving an SUV and a city Metro bus that had occurred earlier in the evening. According to News24Online, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that three people were pronounced dead at the scene and another person was transported to a local hospital.
Victims and Crew Identified
The two crew members aboard the helicopter were reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, as reported by Deseret News. Authorities and station anchors confirmed that at least one additional victim killed was a pedestrian on the ground near the crash site.
Colleen Williams, an anchor for NBC4 Los Angeles, confirmed the deaths of Moreno and Marciniw during live broadcasts. Lynette Romero, co-anchor of NBC LA’s morning newscast, remembered the pair on NBC’s “Today” show, stating that they were both doing what they loved and deeply enjoyed breaking news. In a joint statement, NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed deep sadness over the fatal accident and extended condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims.
Scene and Immediate Aftermath
The helicopter impact smashed into a pair of truck cargo containers and triggered a fire that engulfed at least four nearby vehicles. Neither of the surrounding warehouse buildings was struck by the aircraft. More than 50 firefighters responded to the scene, and police and fire crews had extinguished the flames by 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Branden Silverman noted that the aircraft was heavily destroyed, leaving officials to sort through the rubble to confirm the exact placement of all occupants.
Prior Bus Collision Context
The helicopter crash unfolded while emergency personnel and news media were already heavily concentrated in Chatsworth responding to the earlier collision. Approximately two hours before the aviation incident, an SUV had crashed into the side of an MTA Metro bus. Reports indicated that the bus collision resulted in fatalities and multiple injuries, drawing extensive media attention to the area before the second tragedy occurred.
Official Responses and Investigation
City and state leaders shared public statements mourning the events. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called it a tragic night for the city and expressed gratitude to first responders, firefighters, and paramedics. California Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a statement on X extending hearts to the victims and families of both the Metro bus and helicopter crashes.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the helicopter crash.
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