Victims identified in TV news helicopter crash in LA County: Updates

Journalist and Pilot Identified After Fatal News Helicopter Crash in Chatsworth

Cybersecarmor.com – A journalist and pilot working aboard a television news helicopter were among three people killed when the aircraft crashed in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles County on the evening of Sept. 15.

The helicopter, known as NewsChopper4 and operated by Angel City Air, went down shortly before 7 p.m. between two commercial buildings in the suburban neighborhood. It caught fire after impact, and flames spread to vehicles at ground level.

Authorities identified the two people aboard as Eliana Moreno, an aerial journalist for NBC 4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, and pilot George Marciniw. A third person killed was a pedestrian on the ground. That person had not been publicly identified as of Sept. 16.

Crash occurred while crew covered earlier deadly collision

The aircraft had been covering a fatal bus crash that occurred earlier the same day. That separate incident involved a Los Angeles Metro bus and another vehicle, and officials said at least two people were killed.

The helicopter was a Eurocopter AS350, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Four vehicles and two storage containers sustained damage in the crash, though officials said no buildings were struck.

Two additional people were taken to a hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available.

The crash added another devastating event to an already difficult day in the community, following the earlier fatal collision involving the Metro bus.

“I’m absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight. My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued that statement as emergency crews responded to the two separate tragedies.

Moreno had long career in aerial reporting

Moreno, who was in her late 30s, was born in Orange County and graduated from Chapman University in Southern California. She had worked as a journalist with Angel City Air since 2010 and provided reporting from the air for several news organizations during her career.

For viewers of NBC 4 and Telemundo 52, Moreno was a familiar presence and voice during coverage of major breaking stories across Southern California. Aerial reporting often places journalists and pilots over active emergency scenes, traffic incidents and other developing events, giving viewers a broader view while helping newsrooms follow rapidly changing situations.

Marciniw was also from Southern California. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1974 and had flown with Moreno since 2023.

Their deaths have drawn attention to the close working partnership required on a news helicopter, where a pilot manages the aircraft while a journalist observes, communicates and delivers live information from above.

Emotional confirmation during evening broadcast

News of the crash was confirmed during an evening broadcast, when anchor Colleen Williams told viewers the station had lost contact with its crew.

“We’ve been telling you that we’ve been piecing it together here. We knew it was a news chopper, we knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we just received the confirmation that, in fact, NewsChopper4 went down just before 7 o’clock tonight in Chatsworth.”

Williams paused the broadcast after confirming the loss.

“We are going to take a couple of minutes to think about that, to process, and to regroup.”

NBC 4 and Telemundo 52 expressed condolences for those who died in the accident.

“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

Investigation and identification efforts continue

Investigators will examine the circumstances leading to the crash, including the aircraft’s condition, flight activity and the events immediately before it fell. The pedestrian killed on the ground remained unidentified publicly as of Sept. 16.

For residents and businesses near the crash location, the incident underscores how quickly a developing emergency can affect people beyond the original scene. Although the helicopter came down near commercial buildings, authorities said the structures themselves were not damaged.

Emergency responders faced a challenging situation involving the aircraft fire, burning vehicles and injured people requiring transport. The full scope of the investigation, as well as further information on the two hospitalized victims, had not yet been released.

Moreno and Marciniw were killed while covering a story in the region they served, leaving colleagues, viewers and loved ones to mourn alongside the family of the pedestrian who also died.