World
News helicopter crash in Los Angeles kills three; investigators probe cause
September 17, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 4 hours
A news helicopter covering a bus accident has crashed in Los Angeles, killing its two crew members and a pedestrian, as investigators examine the wreckage.
- NBC's NewsChopper4, which also operated for Telemundo 52, crashed in Chatsworth on Tuesday night while covering a bus accident, killing photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.
- The coroner's office identified the third victim, pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29, a Guatemalan national who had arrived in the city this week.
- NTSB investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar said a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days, while a final report on the cause could take up to 18 months.
- Salazar said video appearing to show the helicopter's viewpoint in the seconds before the crash is so far "probably the most important evidence" for investigators.