A deadly helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, has brought renewed attention to aerial journalist Eliana Moreno and veteran helicopter pilot George Marciniw, whose names have been linked to the NBC Los Angeles NewsChopper 4 aircraft involved in the September 15 crash.
The helicopter went down in the San Fernando Valley while a news crew was covering a separate deadly collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus. Los Angeles firefighters reported three fatalities from the helicopter crash, while one additional person was taken to a hospital. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
NBC Los Angeles later confirmed that the aircraft was a news helicopter. The station had been among several news organizations using helicopters to cover the earlier Chatsworth traffic collision.
Quick Guide
- Crash location: Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California
- Date: September 15, 2026
- Aircraft: NBC Los Angeles NewsChopper 4
- Reported fatalities: Three
- People hospitalized: One person was taken to a hospital after the helicopter crash
- People linked to the aircraft: Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw
- Investigation: The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash
- Cause: Not yet determined
What Happened in the Chatsworth Helicopter Crash?
The helicopter crashed shortly before 7 p.m. on September 15 near the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue in Chatsworth, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The aircraft came down between commercial buildings while television helicopters were in the area covering a separate vehicle collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus. NBC Los Angeles confirmed that the crashed aircraft was a news helicopter.
The helicopter crash caused a fire that damaged vehicles and storage containers near the crash site. More than 50 firefighters responded to the scene, according to reporting from the Associated Press.
The earlier road crash also resulted in fatalities and injuries. NBC Los Angeles reported that two people were killed and at least six others were hospitalized following the SUV and Metro bus collision.
Who Was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno was a Los Angeles-based aerial journalist and photographer associated with NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52’s NewsChopper 4 operation.
Her professional background includes aerial photography, reporting, camera work, producing and editing. She studied Broadcast Journalism and Political Science at Chapman University and previously worked in television news in Orange County.
Moreno joined Angel City Air in 2010 and became known for covering breaking news from the air across Southern California. Her work included aerial coverage of major incidents and developing stories around the Los Angeles region.
Professional and aviation-related profiles have identified Moreno as an aerial photographer and reporter working with NewsChopper 4.
Following the crash, Moreno’s name circulated widely on social media as people tried to determine who was aboard the helicopter. Some online posts also claimed that her voice could be heard in footage recorded shortly before the crash.
Those social media claims should not be treated as the primary source for identifying crash victims. Official agencies and the relevant authorities remain the appropriate sources for confirmation.
Who Was George Marciniw?
George Marciniw was a veteran Southern California helicopter pilot associated with Pacific Rotorways and news helicopter operations.
According to professional information cited in current reporting, Marciniw had more than three decades of helicopter experience and approximately 14,000 flight hours. His aviation work included flight instruction, aerial photography and helicopter operations.
Marciniw had also been associated with NBC Los Angeles’ NewsChopper 4. Aviation-related profiles and posts have previously identified him as a pilot involved in NBC aerial news operations.
Current reporting has linked Marciniw to the helicopter involved in the Chatsworth crash, but the identification should be attributed carefully while investigators and officials complete the formal process.
Were Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw Aboard the Helicopter?
Multiple reports have identified Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw as the two people aboard the NBC Los Angeles helicopter.
A report from Colorado Boulevard also stated that Moreno and Marciniw were aboard the helicopter and died in the crash, while other reporting has described their deaths as reported rather than relying on an official victim-identification announcement.
Because victim identification following a fatal crash is an official process, readers should distinguish between reported identities and formal confirmation from authorities.
The Associated Press reported that officials were initially still determining how many people were aboard the aircraft. The helicopter was described as heavily damaged in the crash.
What Is Known About the Investigation?
The cause of the helicopter crash has not been established.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, flight information and other evidence as they work to determine what happened before the helicopter went down.
At this stage, there is no verified conclusion about what caused the crash. Speculation circulating online should therefore be separated from findings released by investigators.
A Developing Story in Los Angeles
The Chatsworth helicopter crash happened during coverage of another serious accident in the same area, making the incident especially difficult for the local news community.
Moreno’s career in aerial journalism and Marciniw’s experience as a helicopter pilot have drawn public attention as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The identities of the victims and the cause of the crash should continue to be followed through official announcements and established news organizations as the investigation progresses.