On September 15, a news helicopter crashed in Los Angeles, taking the lives of a photojournalist and a pilot who were covering a deadly traffic accident. George Marciniw was the pilot, and Eliana Moreno was the photojournalist aboard NewsChopper4. The crash occurred in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles shortly before 7 PM local time.
The helicopter, which was used by both NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, had been following a crash involving an SUV and a city bus. That crash left two people dead. A third person was also killed in the helicopter crash, with fire officials saying the victim appeared to have been on the ground.
The Crash and the Fire
A news helicopter went down between two commercial buildings in Chatsworth, with the crash setting off a fire that reached four vehicles and two storage containers. Over 70 firefighters arrived at the scene.
During live coverage, NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams said the station had lost its helicopter and crew.
“We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received confirmation.”
Later on, NBC Los Angeles identified Moreno and Marciniw as the two crew members who died, describing them as “valued friends and colleagues.”
“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,” a statement said.
Tributes From Across the Industry
Tributes quickly followed from across the local news industry.
“That helicopter community is a small group of people, and it’s just devastating to know that this has happened to one of those people, to our friends and our colleagues at NBC4,” CBS Los Angeles assignment editor Mike Rogers said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was “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,” she wrote.
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, offered his sympathies, stating that his thoughts were with the victims, their families, and the NBC4 team.
The Investigation
The probe into the helicopter crash will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board.
There is no confirmed reason behind the accident yet, and investigators have made no statement about when they expect their work to conclude.
What We Know So Far
- Date: September 15
- Time: Shortly before 7 PM local time
- Location: Chatsworth, Los Angeles
- Helicopter: NewsChopper4, used by NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52
- Crew killed: Photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw
- Third victim: One person on the ground, per fire officials
- Crash triggered by: A nearby crash involving an SUV and city bus, which left two people dead
Two reporters who worked at the same station have died, and their profession is remembering them. Their deaths were linked to their jobs, and both were killed while doing the work they had chosen. The details of what led to this outcome remain unknown. The full account will be made public once investigators have finished their work. Until then, the names of the victims stand alone: Moreno and Marciniw. The station that employed them is still grieving.
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