Tragic Los Angeles Helicopter Crash
NBC Reporter and Pilot Among Three Killed in Los Angeles Helicopter Crash
Anonymous
Key Points
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The helicopter crashed shortly before 7 p.m. near Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street, prompting a major response from both the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.
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The separate collision that the crew was covering involved an SUV and a Metro bus; the crash reportedly killed two people.
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Marciniw was described as a highly experienced pilot who had logged more than 14,000 hours in the helicopter and used the social-media identity “Eli in the Heli.”
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The Los Angeles Fire Department said four patients were assessed at the scene: three died there and one was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.
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NBC colleague Roland Sprewell paid tribute to Moreno and Marciniw, writing, “Spread your wings and fly Eliana and George,” and thanking Moreno for training him as an airborne reporter and photographer.
An NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth on September 15, killing three people including reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. WSBTV reported the crash occurred shortly before 7 p.m. near Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street. The NewsChopper4 was covering a separate collision between an SUV and a Metro bus when it went down. One person was transported to a local hospital.
Moreno and Marciniw had worked together frequently since 2023, according to Hindustan Times. Marciniw was a veteran pilot who logged more than 14,000 helicopter hours and used the social media handle "Eli in the Heli." The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, but no cause has been determined yet.
Helicopter Down While Covering Vehicle Collision
The NewsChopper4 crashed in Los Angeles' Chatsworth neighborhood at approximately 6:50 p.m. on September 15. WSBTV reported the crash site was near Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street. The helicopter had been assigned to cover a deadly collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus in the same area. That separate crash killed two people. The Los Angeles Fire Department and Police Department responded to the helicopter crash within minutes.
Experienced Reporter and Pilot Lost in Crash
Eliana Moreno was an accomplished aerial reporter who frequently covered breaking news from the air. George Marciniw piloted NewsChopper4 and was highly skilled, with more than 14,000 flight hours logged in helicopters. The two had developed a strong working relationship since 2023, according to Hindustan Times. Marciniw gained online recognition through his social media presence as "Eli in the Heli."
NBC colleague Roland Sprewell mourned their deaths on social media. "Spread your wings and fly Eliana and George," Sprewell wrote. He thanked Moreno for training him as an airborne reporter and photographer. The station has not yet released statements about how this loss will affect their news operations.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
The Los Angeles Fire Department assessed four patients at the crash scene. Three people died at the location, and one was taken to a hospital in unknown condition. WSBTV reported the injured person's identity and hospital status have not been publicly disclosed. The third fatality—someone on the ground—has also not been publicly identified.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken the lead investigating the crash. As of now, authorities have not determined what caused the helicopter to go down. The NTSB typically conducts thorough investigations into aviation accidents, examining mechanical, weather, and pilot-related factors. Results could take weeks or months to complete.
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