NBC Los Angeles reporter and pilot die in helicopter crash

NBC Los Angeles reporter Eliana Moreno, 38, and pilot George Marciniw were identified among those killed in the crash of the broadcaster's reporting helicopter in Los Angeles, United States. A third victim, who was on the ground, also did not survive.

The local NBC affiliate's helicopter crashed on Tuesday night (15) while covering an accident involving a Los Angeles public transit bus and a passenger car in the Chatsworth neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley.

NBC Los Angeles reported that Eliana Moreno had worked on Angel City Air's helicopter team since 2010. A television journalism and political science graduate from Chapman University, she had also worked as a reporter for other Southern California outlets.

George Marciniw grew up in Southern California and had been flying alongside Moreno since 2023, according to the broadcaster.

In a statement, NBC4 and Telemundo 52 mourned the death of the professionals. “We extend our sincerest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives,” the statement said.

Eliana Moreno worked for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. She was on board the aircraft alongside George Marciniw when the helicopter crashed during news coverage. The death of the two professionals was confirmed by Telemundo.

During live programming, NBC host Colleen Williams stated that the network had lost contact with the team before receiving confirmation of the crash. According to NBC News, the helicopter crashed into a parking lot near a storage center and was destroyed upon impact.

The causes of the accident are still unknown. The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate the case.