Two people who died in the news helicopter crash in Los Angeles have been identified as Eliana Moreno, a journalist, and pilot George Marciniw, according to NBC4 Los Angeles.
The tragedy unfolded when a helicopter, operated by Angel City Air and covering news for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, crashed before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, according to the Los Angeles City Fire Department and NBC4.
One person on the ground was killed in the crash in Chatsworth, a community in the San Fernando Valley. The USA TODAY Network has reached out to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner to learn whether they’ve been identified.
“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,” NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a joint statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
What happened in the LA helicopter crash?
A Los Angeles Metro bus and vehicle crashed shortly after 5 p.m. in Chatsworth, killing two people and leaving others in critical condition, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a late-night news conference Tuesday. The helicopter crashed near the vehicle collision scene, Bass said. Los Angeles Fire Department extinguished a fire caused by the crash.
Details about the helicopter emerged during NBC4’s broadcast on Tuesday.
"We've been telling you that we've been piecing it together here. We knew it was a news chopper, we knew we'd lost contact with our people out there, and we just received the confirmation that, in fact, NewsChopper4 went down just before 7 o'clock tonight in Chatsworth," Anchor Colleen Williams said.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, according to authorities.
“Tonight is a tragedy compounded by another tragedy,” LA City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said.
Who are Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw?
Moreno was a Southern California native and alum of Chapman University in Orange County, according to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists — which Moreno was a member of.
NAHJ said she was engaged to be married. Moreno’s social media posts show her vast coverage, including of the massive cold storage warehouse fire in Boyle Heights in June, the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley in May, and the Dodgers victory parade following their World Series win in 2025.
“She was dedicated to her craft, and so passionate about this job,” said Rick Montanez, a CBS LA reporter who had known Moreno and spoke about her in a broadcast on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Moreno joined the Angel City Air team in 2010, according to her LinkedIn page.
She and Marciniw — who is “believed to have had more than 30 years of flight experience”— began flying together in 2023, according to NBC4.
Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School, NBC4 reported.
USA TODAY reporter Jeanine Santucci contributed to this story.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 'So passionate.' Details emerge about LA helicopter crash victims
