A series of tragic incidents occurred in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles on the evening of September 15, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a news helicopter crash. The events began with a fatal collision between a Los Angeles Metro bus and an SUV shortly after 5 p.m., which left at least two people dead and several others critically injured. The SUV driver has been charged with murder.
Around 7 p.m., a helicopter carrying out aerial news coverage of the bus crash went down near the scene. The aircraft, a Eurocopter AS350 operated by Angel City Air for NBC 4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, crashed between two commercial buildings, bursting into flames. The crash killed three people: NBC journalist Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and an unidentified pedestrian on the ground. Two additional individuals sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital, though their conditions have not been disclosed.
Moreno, a Southern California native and Chapman University graduate, was a familiar presence on NBC 4 and Telemundo 52, having reported from the air for various outlets since 2010. Marciniw, also a Southern California native and a Burbank High School graduate, had been flying with Moreno since 2023. Both were well known in the local aviation journalism community, which is relatively small and tight-knit.
The helicopter crash highlighted the inherent risks faced by crews covering fast-moving news events from the air. Los Angeles is known for its fleet of news helicopters that follow pursuits and emergencies across its vast metropolitan area. However, aerial reporting carries hazards, including mechanical failures, environmental obstacles, and pilot error. While overall air travel remains statistically safer than driving, recent high-profile accidents have underscored the dangers specific to helicopter operations.
Local broadcaster CBS Los Angeles reporter Desmond Shaw, who was covering the earlier bus crash from his own helicopter, described the incident as the “day we all dread,” reflecting on the intense emotions within the small community of airborne journalists. Shaw emphasized the necessity of managing fear to perform the job effectively.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences, stating she was “absolutely devastated” by the loss of life and extended sympathies to families affected by both the bus and helicopter accidents. NBC 4 and Telemundo 52 also released a joint statement mourning the tragedy and offering heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, friends, and colleagues.
Authorities have launched a federal investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash, and the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that damage from the crash included four vehicles and two storage containers, with no buildings affected. The investigation remains ongoing as the community processes the events of this tragic day.