NBC News helicopter crashes in Los Angeles, reporter and pilot both killed

A major accident was reported in Los Angeles, USA. The Los Angeles branch of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) dispatched a news helicopter to cover a major local car accident. As a result, the helicopter crashed unexpectedly. Senior reporter Eliana Moreno and senior pilot George Marciniw were killed on the spot. During the live broadcast of the news, the last footage captured by the helicopter in the air and the clip of the conversation between the two people on board are currently going viral on X.

According to comprehensive foreign media reports, the deceased Moreno was a senior aerial photography reporter, while Marciniu was a senior helicopter pilot with more than 14,000 hours of flying experience. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was circling near Nordhoff Street, reporting another major traffic accident, when it suddenly stalled and fell to the ground.

From the video widely circulated on

The relevant video generated nearly 10,000 comments, with many netizens wondering why they still reported using this traditional method when drones had already appeared. Netizens also speculated on the cause of the accident. They left messages saying: "Turn up the volume and you can hear a sharp noise, and then the engine stalled." "The reporter switched from a Los Angeles accent to a Spanish accent in the last few seconds. It was really chilling."

In response to the accident, NBC and sister station Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement saying: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that a helicopter performing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, relatives, friends and colleagues of the tragic victims."

When reporting the news, NBC4 senior anchor Colleen Williams choked up and said, "We have lost contact with our partners." The Los Angeles Fire Department said that the accident killed at least three people. One of the victims was a pedestrian who was on the ground when the helicopter crashed.