The Los Angeles news helicopter crash that killed three people while covering a bus accident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, which was due to provide an update on its findings.
The NBC4 helicopter crashed in Chatsworth on Tuesday evening, tumbling from the air and striking a city street during news coverage. The incident killed reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and Edy Gutierrez Mejia.
Marciniw had more than 30 years of flight experience. Moreno and Marciniw were among those aboard the aircraft when it went down.
The crash occurred as the helicopter was being used for aerial coverage of a deadly bus accident. Shortly after the incident, anchor Colleen Williams told viewers that the station had “lost contact with our people”.
NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 said in a joint statement: “We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
Dispatch audio captured the emergency response as authorities rushed to help those inside the downed helicopter. The NTSB’s media briefing was expected to address the investigation into the fatal Chatsworth crash.
