Aviation safety concerns highlighted by recurring US news helicopter crashes
US news helicopter crashes show recurring pattern; eight fatal incidents documented since 2000.
Event / Disaster
Los Angeles Transportation Disasters
Series of major transportation incidents in Los Angeles area including vehicle collisions and aviation crashes resulting in multiple fatalities.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
7 articles0 articles
2026-09-16 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Sept, 06:44 UTC
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What happened
NTSB and FAA begin investigation into helicopter crash in Los Angeles
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration sent personnel to investigate the helicopter crash. NTSB investigator Fabian Salazar identified the helicopter's final broadcast video as the most important evidence discovered so far, noting the sounds were consistent with engine speed changes and advisory tones for the pilot. The NTSB is also investigating the bus collision that preceded the helicopter crash.
KNBC helicopter crash in 1977 killed pilot Francis Gary Powers
In 1977, a KNBC news helicopter crashed when it ran out of fuel while returning to the station after covering a wildfire in Santa Barbara, killing the pilot and camera operator. The pilot was Francis Gary Powers, a former U.S. Air Force officer who had gained prominence years earlier when he was shot down and captured while flying a U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union for the CIA, an ordeal depicted in the film 'Bridge of Spies.'
NBC news helicopter crashes while covering bus collision, killing reporter and pilot
An NBC4 and Telemundo helicopter (Eurocopter AS350) crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood approximately two hours after the bus collision it was covering. Reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air, were killed in the crash. Video footage from the helicopter broadcast shows an alarm sounding in the cockpit as the aircraft lost altitude, with Moreno heard saying 'uh oh' and 'you can't pull up?' before transmission ended. The helicopter went down near a large storage facility, with at least four cars and two storage containers catching fire from the crash. Aviation experts suggest the alarm indicates a potential loss of engine power and dangerous decrease in main rotor speed.
At least eight fatal news helicopter crashes in US since 2000
Federal accident records and news accounts show at least eight fatal crashes involving news helicopters in the United States since 2000, resulting in 16 deaths. Notable incidents include a 2023 crash in a New Jersey forest killing a Philadelphia WPVI helicopter pilot and photographer; a 2022 crash beside a Charlotte, North Carolina interstate killing a WBTV pilot and meteorologist during training; and a 2007 midair collision in Phoenix of two news helicopters covering a police chase that prompted NTSB recommendations for two-person cockpits.
Pedestrian killed in helicopter crash debris field in Los Angeles
Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29, a Guatemalan national, was killed in the helicopter crash while standing in a parking lot near the crash site in Chatsworth. He was identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office and confirmed as being from Guatemala by the country's consulate.
Eliana Moreno, NBC4 reporter and pilot, identified as helicopter crash victims
Eliana Moreno, born in Orange County, joined Angel City Air in 2010 after earning a broadcast journalism and political science degree from Chapman University that same year. She worked as a familiar voice for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 during aerial coverage and began flying with pilot George Marciniw in 2023. Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. Both worked for Angel City Air, which operated the helicopter for NBC and Telemundo.
SUV driver arrested after collision with Los Angeles Metro Bus kills two passengers
Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, of Simi Valley, was arrested and charged with murder after her 2004 Ford Expedition collided with a Los Angeles Metro Bus in Chatsworth on September 15. Rios was allegedly driving the wrong way on DeSoto Avenue, ran a red light at Nordhoff Street, and struck an eastbound bus around 5 p.m. Two bus passengers—Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31—were killed. One passenger was fully ejected from the bus and another was partially ejected. Six additional people were injured and transported to hospitals. Rios is being held on a $4 million bail. The case is being forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for charging decisions.
NBC4 and Telemundo express condolences for crash victims
NBC and Telemundo stations issued a statement expressing deep sadness and extending heartfelt condolences to families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives in both the bus collision and helicopter crash. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated 'Losing five Angelenos is very painful' and acknowledged the Chatsworth community would be grieving for some time. California Governor Gavin Newsom thanked emergency crews responding to both incidents and expressed condolences to victims and families.
NBC4 loses contact with station helicopter following crash
NBC4 news anchors reported during their Tuesday night broadcast that they were unable to establish contact with their station's helicopter after the crash occurred, suggesting the crashed aircraft may have belonged to NBC4.
National Transportation Safety Board to investigate helicopter crash
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration announced they will handle the investigation into the helicopter crash. The NTSB was gathering information and determining whether to send investigators to the scene.
Bus collision kills two people in Los Angeles on same day
Earlier on Tuesday, an SUV crashed into a Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority bus, killing two people and injuring six others. The crash occurred on the same day as the helicopter incident. Multiple news helicopters had been covering this bus collision when the helicopter crash happened.
Three people confirmed dead in Los Angeles helicopter crash
Three people were confirmed deceased at the scene of the helicopter crash in Los Angeles. At least one person killed was found outside the helicopter in the parking lot. One additional person was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.
News helicopter crashes in Los Angeles parking lot
A news helicopter crashed into a parking lot in Chatsworth, Los Angeles on Tuesday evening just before 7 p.m. The aircraft went down between two commercial buildings in a parking lot adjacent to a large one-story building. The helicopter was described as "pretty well destroyed" by fire department officials.
Fire department responds to helicopter crash with 56 firefighters
The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed 56 firefighters to respond to the helicopter crash. The fire was completely extinguished. Four vehicles and two storage containers were damaged by the fire. Four patients were assessed in total.
SUV and bus collision kills three people in Los Angeles
A collision between an SUV and a bus occurred in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, resulting in three deaths and numerous injuries. This initial accident was the event being covered by the news helicopter when it subsequently crashed.
NBC4 loses contact with helicopter crew during news coverage
NBC4, a Los Angeles local television station, lost contact with its helicopter crew during news coverage operations. The station had not been immediately identified as the owner of the crashed helicopter at the time of reporting, though NBC4 confirmed losing contact with its crew.
At least three people killed in television helicopter crash in Los Angeles
At least three people died in the helicopter crash in Los Angeles. One of the three victims appears to have been killed on the ground. One additional person was injured in the incident.
Television news helicopter crashes in Los Angeles while covering traffic accident
A television news helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood, northwest of downtown Los Angeles, while covering a collision between an SUV and a bus. The helicopter crashed approximately one block away from the initial accident site, with eyewitnesses reporting seeing it strike the ground and burst into flames.
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2 alternative perspectives
NTSB and FAA launch investigation into Chatsworth helicopter crash
Federal aviation agencies investigating Chatsworth crash that killed reporter and pedestrian.
SUV driver faces criminal charges in Metro Bus collision death
SUV driver arrested and charged in Metro Bus collision that killed two passengers.
Bus collision fatalities confirmed as separate incident from helicopter crash
An SUV-bus collision killed two people in Los Angeles on the same day as the helicopter crash.
Fire department deploys 56 firefighters to helicopter crash scene
Fire department deployed 56 firefighters; NTSB to investigate crash.
SUV-bus collision kills three in Los Angeles
SUV-bus collision in Los Angeles kills three people.
NBC4 helicopter crashes during Los Angeles traffic coverage
NBC4 helicopter crashes during traffic coverage in Los Angeles, killing at least three.