Summary (tl;dr)

An NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, California, while covering an earlier fatal bus collision, resulting in the deaths of aerial news reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and a pedestrian on the ground.

Essential Background

Prior to the helicopter crash, a separate fatal collision occurred in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, involving an SUV and a Metro bus. This initial incident resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, prompting significant emergency response and news coverage. The driver of the SUV, identified as Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was later arrested in connection with the bus crash on suspicion of reckless driving, running a red light, and possible DUI.

The Full Story

On Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, an NBC Los Angeles (KNBC/NBC4) news helicopter, "NewsChopper 4," crashed in Chatsworth, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, while providing live aerial coverage of the earlier deadly bus accident. The helicopter went down just before 7 p.m. local time, between two commercial buildings at a storage facility in the 9100 block of N. Mason Avenue, bursting into flames upon impact. Tragically, aerial news reporter Eliana Moreno, 38, and pilot George Marciniw were killed on board. Additionally, Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29, a pedestrian on the ground, also died at the scene. Colleagues at NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed profound grief and confirmed the loss of their team members, remembering Moreno as "Eli in the Heli" and praising Marciniw's extensive flying experience. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause of the helicopter crash.

Why It Matters

This incident is a devastating loss for the journalism community and the families of those involved, highlighting the inherent dangers faced by news crews covering breaking events. The deaths of Eliana Moreno, a beloved bilingual reporter, and veteran pilot George Marciniw, along with an innocent bystander, have prompted an outpouring of condolences from across California and the nation. The ongoing investigations by the NTSB and FAA are crucial for understanding the cause of the crash and potentially preventing future tragedies involving news gathering operations. The event underscores the commitment of journalists to report on critical situations, even at significant personal risk.

Geographic Location

• 9100 block of N. Mason Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (news helicopter crash site)
• Near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (initial fatal bus and SUV collision)