A news helicopter covering a traffic collision in Los Angeles crashed near a storage facility, killing three people and sending a fourth to hospital, according to accounts citing local emergency officials. The aircraft was working for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 when it went down, and was destroyed on impact.¹

One account identifies reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw among those who died. Moreno had worked with Angel City Air’s helicopter team since 2010, while Marciniw had flown professionally with her since 2023. NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a joint statement: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”¹

A second report places the crash amid coverage of a collision in the Chatsworth area, where a pickup truck struck a bus, leaving three people dead and several injured. Journalists at the scene said they heard a loud explosion; video showed fire, damaged vehicles and helicopter wreckage.²

The reports converge on the immediate human toll but offer different context. The first focuses on the identities and careers of the crew and the broadcasters’ loss of contact with them during live coverage. The second emphasizes the emergency response: “Four patients were assessed. It was determined that three patients died at the scene. One patient was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.”²

Both accounts say the cause has not been established. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are expected to investigate. The second also notes that aerial newsgathering is common in Los Angeles, where stations compete intensely to cover fires, traffic and police pursuits from above.²