An NBC4 Los Angeles/Telemundo 52 news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth on Tuesday evening while covering a separate fatal bus-and-SUV collision in the San Fernando Valley, killing three people and injuring two others. The aircraft came down near the 9100 block of Mason Avenue, ignited on impact and was heavily damaged, while Los Angeles authorities and federal investigators prepared to examine the cause.
NBC identified the two people aboard as reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. A third person died on the ground, and two others were taken to hospital. The Los Angeles Fire Department described the helicopter as practically destroyed after the fire spread to nearby vehicles and storage containers.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed grief over the loss of their crew and confirmed the helicopter was operating on aerial news coverage at the time of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are expected to lead the investigation into the accident.