CHATSWORTH, Calif. — The news helicopter that crashed Tuesday evening, Sept. 15, 2026, while covering a deadly Metro bus wreck has been identified as NewsChopper4, operated by Angel City Air for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, and the two people killed aboard were aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, NBC Los Angeles and NBC News reported. A third person — a pedestrian on the ground — also died and had not been publicly named in early reports.

The crash was reported just before 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue in Chatsworth, LAFD said. The helicopter went down between commercial buildings in a parking lot, sparking a fire that damaged cars and storage containers. Fire Capt. Brandon Silverman said the aircraft was “pretty well destroyed,” with responders still sorting debris; witnesses described the chopper swaying before impact and erupting in a fireball, NBC L.A. reported. Two other people were taken to hospitals; their conditions were not immediately known.

Moreno, an Orange County native and 2010 Chapman University graduate in broadcast journalism and political science, joined Angel City Air’s helicopter team in 2010 and was a familiar aerial voice for NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. The pair began flying together in 2023. NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said they were “deeply saddened” and extended condolences to families, friends, and colleagues. Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued statements of condolence.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday it is investigating the Sept. 15 crash of a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 in Chatsworth, with investigators expected on scene Wednesday morning; the FAA is also involved. The cause remains unclear.

Separate Metro bus–SUV crash ~5 p.m.

The helicopter was among several covering an earlier collision shortly after 5 p.m. near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue — the 20900 block of West Nordhoff — where an SUV slammed into the side of a Metro bus (line 166 toward Sun Valley), ABC7 and FOX 11 reported. LAFD said at least two people were killed in the bus crash and multiple others injured.

Dated Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 update: NewsChopper4 / Angel City Air victims identified as Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw; ground pedestrian still unnamed; NTSB/FAA investigating Eurocopter AS 350 B2 crash while covering the Nordhoff bus wreck.

Sources