Three people died Tuesday evening when a news helicopter went down in Los Angeles' Chatsworth neighborhood while providing live coverage of a fatal Metro bus collision. The crash, which occurred just before 7 p.m. near Mason Avenue, killed KNBC reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and a ground bystander identified as Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29.
The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 operated by Angel City Air, was covering a crash that had already claimed the lives of two bus passengers. Video from the aircraft showed the crew attempting to troubleshoot as an alarm sounded and the camera feed began to shake before cutting out entirely. The aircraft then slammed into a parking lot between commercial buildings, igniting nearby vehicles and storage containers.
Mayor Karen Bass called it “very, very, very tragic day in Los Angeles,” extending condolences to the families of those killed and to the journalism community. “Our hearts are with those impacted by the bus collision and the helicopter crash,” she said.
NTSB Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken charge of the probe. Investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar said Wednesday that crews would remain on scene “pretty much all day” collecting evidence and witness statements. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though a final determination of cause could take up to 18 months.
Witness Allyona Sevanesian told KTLA that her husband spotted the helicopter behaving erratically moments before impact. “He did say that it was swaying,” she said. “And then immediately after, it was the cloud of smoke.”
The NTSB has asked anyone with information to contact [email protected].
Victims Remembered
Moreno and Marciniw, both Southern California natives, had flown together since 2023. Marciniw, a 1974 graduate of Burbank High School, was a veteran pilot. Moreno, a Chapman University graduate with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science, was an up-and-coming reporter. Their station, NBC4, and Telemundo 52 released a joint statement expressing deep sadness and offering condolences.
The third victim, Edy Gutierrez Mejia, was in a business parking lot when the helicopter crashed. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed his identity.
A Rare but Deadly Risk
News helicopter crashes are uncommon but not unheard of. At least 16 people have died in such incidents in the U.S. since 2000. In 2014, two KOMO-TV journalists were killed in Seattle when their helicopter went down shortly after takeoff. In 2007, two Phoenix news helicopters collided mid-air while covering a police pursuit, killing four journalists.
The latest crash has renewed scrutiny on the safety of aerial newsgathering. The NTSB's investigation will examine maintenance records, weather conditions, and the pilots' actions in the final moments. For now, the journalism community mourns the loss of colleagues who died while documenting a tragedy.
The crash also drew attention to the broader dangers of covering breaking news, as recent coverage of similar incidents has shown. The NTSB's findings will be closely watched by news organizations that rely on helicopters for aerial reporting.
