FLYING Magazine
Three people were killed and two others injured Tuesday when a news helicopter crashed in Los Angeles while covering a fatal motor vehicle collision.
The helicopter went down in the Chatsworth neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, two of the deceased were occupants in the helicopter, and the third person was killed on the ground.
KNBC-TV, known locally as NBC4, confirmed Tuesday that the aircraft was used by the station and Telemundo 52 for aerial news coverage.
“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,” the two channels said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
KNBC identified the dead on board as Eliana Moreno, an aerial photojournalist, and pilot George Marciniw. Both were employees of Angel City Air, which operated the helicopter.
The person who was killed on the ground has not been identified.
The two injured individuals were hospitalized, and their conditions were not immediately clear Wednesday morning.
The helicopter crashed near two commercial buildings and exploded, setting several nearby cars and storage containers on fire. Firefighters responded to the scene and put out the blaze.
According to the Associated Press, the chopper was covering a collision involving an SUV and a city bus that killed at least two people and injured six.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are now investigating the incident.