ENVIRONMENT

3 people killed when NBC and Telemundo news helicopter crashes while covering LA bus collision

PUBLISHED Sep 16, 2026, 12:09 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 54

Left 20%

Center 72%

Right 7%

Sources: 54

A news helicopter shared by NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 crashed Tuesday in Chatsworth, California, killing two media crew members onboard and one person on the ground. Reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw died when the helicopter lost altitude and went down while covering an earlier vehicle crash in which an SUV collided with a Los Angeles Metro bus. That initial crash resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. Broadcast video captured a cockpit alarm sounding and brief frantic dialogue immediately before the helicopter crashed near a commercial storage facility, igniting a fire that damaged four cars and two storage units. Two injured individuals were transported to a regional trauma center in undisclosed condition. Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have initiated an inquiry to determine the cause of the mechanical failure or loss of control leading to the fatal incident.

By Haya | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On September 15 2026 (12:00 PM) SUV collided with Metro bus in Chatsworth killing two.
On September 15 2026 (12:30 PM) News helicopter arrived overhead streaming live broadcast of collision.
On September 15 2026 (12:42 PM) Cockpit alarm activated during live transmission indicating altitude loss.
On September 15 2026 (12:43 PM) Chopper crashed near storage facility killing three people total.
On September 15 2026 (12:45 PM) Firefighters responded and quickly extinguished ground blaze at site.
On September 15 2026 (1:15 PM) Emergency personnel transported two injured victims to regional hospital.
On September 15 2026 (2:00 PM) Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed three total fatalities occurred.
On September 15 2026 (3:30 PM) NBC4 identified deceased crew members as Moreno and Marciniw.
On September 16 2026 (8:00 AM) Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrived at Chatsworth crash location.
On September 16 2026 (10:00 AM) National Transportation Safety Board launched formal aviation accident investigation.
On September 17 2026 Federal investigators expect to release preliminary aviation crash report.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Heightened safety oversight expected for local broadcast news aviation teams.
Possible long-term US impact: Potential regulatory revisions concerning news broadcast flight safety protocols nationwide.
Most affected groups: Broadcast news organizations aviation crews emergency responders and local authorities.
Reader priority: Prioritize verified statements from official transportation safety investigation agencies only.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 54
Right Leaning:: 4
Left Leaning:: 11
Neutral:: 39

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasizes aviation safety standards and journalistic working conditions during coverage. Center: Reports factual sequence of crash events and official investigative responses. Right: Highlights immediate danger faced by first responders and local property.