A news helicopter operated for NBC Los Angeles crashed in the Chatsworth area on Sunday while covering a deadly bus collision, killing all three people on board. Authorities confirmed that the aircraft went down in a remote section of the Santa Susana Mountains shortly after departing to report on the earlier bus accident.
The helicopter was carrying a pilot, a reporter, and a photographer. Emergency crews reached the crash site but found no survivors. The identities of the victims have not yet been publicly released.
Victims Aboard the Helicopter
- Eliana Moreno — NBC Los Angeles / Telemundo 52 aerial photojournalist
- George Marciniw — veteran pilot for Angel City Air
They were the two people inside the helicopter.
Victim on the Ground
- Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29 — pedestrian struck when the helicopter crashed
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are examining the wreckage and reviewing flight data to determine the cause of the crash. Weather conditions, mechanical failure, and pilot communications are all being evaluated as part of the inquiry.
NBC Los Angeles issued a statement expressing shock and grief, noting that the crew members were experienced professionals who had worked in the region’s aerial news operations for years. Local officials also offered condolences, calling the incident a significant loss for the journalism community.
The crash occurred while the team was covering a separate fatal event — a bus collision earlier in the day that resulted in multiple injuries and at least one death. The two tragedies have prompted renewed attention on the risks faced by news crews who operate in challenging environments to provide real‑time coverage.
