Fire officials say at least three people died after a news station’s helicopter crashed in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. The aircraft was hovering above the scene of a separate fatal bus collision in the Chatsworth neighborhood when it went down and caught fire just before 7 p.m. PT. Several vehicles nearby were also set ablaze by the crash, according to authorities.
The Crash Scene
Officials from the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that three people had died at the scene in the 9100 block of Mason Avenue. A fourth person was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s report. The fire department added in a statement: “The fire has been completely extinguished. No exposure to any structures. 4 automobiles and 2 storage containers have been damaged by the fire.”
Brandon Silverman, the LAFD public information officer, described the wreckage. “The helicopter itself was pretty well destroyed,” he said, per NBC4. “So we are going to have to go through the rubble and see how many victims there were on board, as well as identify the helicopter; we couldn’t even see a tail.”
Who Died
Two of the three people killed were passengers on the helicopter, according to Fox 11, while the third was a pedestrian standing in a parking lot. The identities of all three victims have yet to be made public.
Later confirmation from NBC4 Los Angeles established that the station’s own helicopter, NewsChopper4, operated by Angel City Air, was the vehicle involved in the crash.
The Bus Collision
Just prior to the NBC4 helicopter’s crash, it was flying over the site of a bus collision in the area, where two people died. Six additional individuals were taken to local hospitals from that same incident.
Investigation Underway
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will be handling the investigation. Fox 11 reported that Jennifer Gabris, a spokesperson for the NTSB, shared in a statement just after 9:30 p.m. PT: “We are investigating. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive on scene tomorrow morning. We continue to gather information at this time. When I have more information, I will pass it along to you.”
Mayor’s Response
Tuesday brought a statement from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, posted to X, in which she said: “I’m 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.”
This is a developing story.
Key Facts Box
- Dead: At least three, including two on the helicopter and one pedestrian
- Injured: One transported to hospital in unknown condition
- Crash time: Just before 7 p.m. PT Tuesday
- Bus collision deaths: Two dead, six transported to hospitals
- Investigation: FAA and NTSB
- Helicopter: NewsChopper4, operated by Angel City Air
Comparison Table
| Incident | Victims | Location |
|---|---|---|
| NBC4 helicopter crash | At least three dead, one injured | 9100 block of Mason Avenue, Chatsworth |
| Nearby bus collision | Two dead, six transported | Same neighborhood |
The two incidents unfolded within the same neighborhood. Both claimed lives.
This is a developing story.
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