Journalist and pilot among three killed after news helicopter crashes in LA

September 16, 2026

A news helicopter operated by NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood while covering a fatal bus accident, killing three people including photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. The aircraft went down between two commercial buildings around 7:00 PM local time, with the resulting fire spreading to multiple vehicles and storage containers, requiring over 70 firefighters to respond. An unidentified pedestrian on the ground was also killed in the crash, while two additional people were hospitalized.

Who is affected

Photojournalist Eliana Moreno (killed)
Pilot George Marciniw (killed)
An unidentified pedestrian (killed)
Two people taken to hospital (injured)
NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 staff
The families and loved ones of the victims
The local news helicopter community in Los Angeles

What action is being taken

More than 70 firefighters are deployed to the scene fighting the fire from the crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the incident
First responders are working at the scene

Why it matters

This tragedy highlights the risks faced by journalists and pilots who cover breaking news events from the air. The incident has deeply impacted the close-knit helicopter news community in Los Angeles, with colleagues describing their hearts as "shattered." The crash also claimed an innocent pedestrian's life, compounding the tragedy beyond just those directly involved in news coverage. The loss emphasizes the dangerous nature of newsgathering and the dedication of those who work to inform the public.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC