Updated September 16, 2026
What Happened in the NBC4 Helicopter Crash?
An NBC4 NewsChopper4 helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on the evening of September 15, 2026, while its crew was covering a separate traffic collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Three people were killed in the helicopter crash. The two people aboard the aircraft were identified as NBC4 aerial reporter and photographer Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air. A third person on the ground also died. Two other people were hospitalized after the crash.
The cause of the NBC4 helicopter crash has not been determined. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident.
NBC4 NewsChopper4 Crash: What We Know
The helicopter was being used to provide aerial coverage for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52.
Several news helicopters were in the area covering an earlier collision between an SUV and a Los Angeles Metro bus. That collision occurred roughly two hours before the helicopter crash and left three people dead and six injured.
Shortly before 7 p.m. local time, NBC4 lost contact with its NewsChopper4 crew. The helicopter subsequently crashed in the Chatsworth area, between commercial buildings near a storage facility.
The aircraft caught fire after the crash. Emergency crews responded to the scene, and more than 70 firefighters were involved in the response, according to reporting from the Associated Press and NBC Los Angeles. Several vehicles and storage containers were also damaged by the fire.
NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams later confirmed on live television that NewsChopper4 had gone down and that the station had lost members of its news team.
Who Was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno was an aerial reporter and photographer who worked with NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
The Associated Press reported that she joined the Angel City Air helicopter team in 2010 and had worked with Marciniw since 2023.
Moreno had a long career in Southern California television news and had been flying in news helicopters since 2010. She joined the Angel City Air helicopter team and became a familiar presence for viewers who followed NBC4’s aerial coverage of breaking news across Los Angeles.
According to NBC4, Moreno graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.
She frequently worked alongside pilot George Marciniw, and the two had been flying together since 2023.
Her death was confirmed after the station initially reported that it had lost contact with the helicopter crew.
Who Was George Marciniw?
George Marciniw was the pilot aboard NewsChopper4 when the helicopter crashed.
Marciniw was a longtime Southern California pilot who worked for Angel City Air, the company that operated the helicopter used by NBC4 and Telemundo 52. He and Moreno regularly worked together during aerial news assignments.
NBC4 later identified Marciniw and Moreno as the two people aboard the helicopter who died in the crash.
Why Was the NBC4 Helicopter in Chatsworth?
NewsChopper4 was covering a separate traffic collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus.
That earlier crash happened in Chatsworth and resulted in at least two deaths and six injuries. Multiple television news helicopters were in the area providing aerial coverage.
While NBC4’s crew was covering the developing story, the NewsChopper4 helicopter crashed a short distance away.
The proximity of the two incidents meant that television journalists were suddenly reporting on a tragedy involving members of their own news organization.
Where Did the NBC4 Helicopter Crash?
The helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the aircraft went down in the 9100 block of Mason Avenue, between commercial buildings near a storage facility.
The crash caused a fire that damaged vehicles and storage containers in the surrounding area. Firefighters quickly worked to contain the flames while emergency personnel treated people at the scene.
What Caused the NBC4 Helicopter Crash?
The cause of the NBC4 helicopter crash is not yet known.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash to determine what happened and what caused it.
At this stage, there is no confirmed evidence that allows the crash to be attributed to mechanical failure, pilot error, weather or another specific cause.
Readers should be cautious about social-media posts, unofficial audio or videos claiming to explain why the helicopter crashed before investigators release verified findings.
What Happened at NBC4 After the Crash?
The incident was especially difficult for NBC4 because the station was covering the original Chatsworth collision when its own helicopter went down.
Anchor Colleen Williams announced during a live broadcast that the station had lost contact with its helicopter crew. Later, after the crash was confirmed, NBC4 interrupted its coverage so staff could process the loss.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 subsequently issued a statement expressing condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died.
Other Southern California television journalists also paid tribute to Moreno and Marciniw following the crash.
What Happens Next in the Investigation?
The NTSB and FAA will investigate the crash to determine what happened and why the aircraft went down.
Investigators typically examine the wreckage, available flight information, communications, maintenance records, weather conditions and other evidence when determining the circumstances of an aviation accident.
The initial reports should therefore be treated as preliminary. The official cause may take time to establish.
EEZYPOST will update this article if investigators release significant new findings.
NBC4 Helicopter Crash Timeline
Earlier on September 15: An SUV collided with a Metro bus in Chatsworth, killing at least three people and injuring six others.
Before 7 p.m.: Multiple news helicopters were covering the traffic collision.
Shortly before 7 p.m.: NBC4 lost contact with NewsChopper4.
After the loss of contact: The helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth area and caught fire.
Tuesday evening: Emergency crews responded, with more than 70 firefighters involved in fighting the fire.
Later Tuesday night: NBC4 confirmed that its NewsChopper4 helicopter had crashed and that two members of the crew had died.
September 16: NBC4 identified aerial reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw as the two people aboard the helicopter. Federal investigators began responding to the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the NBC4 helicopter crash?
NBC4’s NewsChopper4 helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on September 15, 2026, while covering a nearby SUV and Metro bus collision. Three people died in the helicopter crash, including reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. The cause remains under investigation.
Where did the NBC4 helicopter crash?
The helicopter crashed in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, near a commercial and storage facility. The Los Angeles Times reported the crash occurred in the 9100 block of Mason Avenue.
Who died in the NBC4 helicopter crash?
The two people aboard the helicopter were identified as aerial reporter and photographer Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. A third person on the ground also died.
Who was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno was an aerial reporter and photographer who worked with NBC4 and Telemundo 52. She had been involved in news helicopter operations since 2010 and was a familiar reporter covering breaking news across Southern California.
Who was George Marciniw?
George Marciniw was the pilot of NewsChopper4 and an employee of Angel City Air, which operated the helicopter used by NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Moreno and Marciniw had regularly flown together since 2023.
What was NewsChopper4 covering when it crashed?
The helicopter was providing aerial coverage of a separate collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus in Chatsworth. Multiple news helicopters were covering that incident when NewsChopper4 went down nearby.
What caused the NBC4 helicopter crash?
Investigators have not yet determined the cause. The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash, so claims about a specific cause should be treated as unconfirmed until supported by investigators.
How many people died in the NBC4 helicopter crash?
Three people died in the helicopter crash. Two were aboard the aircraft and a third person was on the ground. Two additional people were hospitalized.
Was the helicopter operated by NBC4?
NewsChopper4 was operated by Angel City Air and provided aerial news coverage for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52.
Who is investigating the Chatsworth helicopter crash?
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances and evidence surrounding the accident.
Final Thoughts
The NBC4 helicopter crash in Chatsworth was a devastating event that affected both the families of the victims and the Southern California news community.
Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw were covering breaking news when their helicopter crashed, while a separate traffic collision had already created a major emergency in the same area.
The investigation into the helicopter crash is ongoing. Until federal investigators establish the cause, the most reliable information remains the confirmed details released by NBC4, emergency officials, the NTSB, FAA and established news organizations.
This article will be updated as verified information becomes available.
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