They were the ‘eyes and ears of the sky.’ NBC4 helicopter crew were SoCal news veterans, tell me about this news in (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-16/nbc4-helicopter-crew-were-socal-news-veterans)

The Los Angeles Times report details the fatal crash of NBC4’s news helicopter (NewsChopper 4) in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles on the evening of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, and honors the two veteran crew members lost in the tragedy:

The Crash

NewsChopper 4 was providing live aerial coverage of an earlier fatal collision involving a Metro bus and an SUV when the station suddenly lost contact with the aircraft shortly before 7:00 p.m. The helicopter crashed near a commercial complex along North Mason Avenue, bursting into flames. Both crew members aboard and a bystander on the ground were killed.

The Crew Members Remembered

The article pays tribute to the two crew members aboard, who were employees of Angel City Air and long-serving figures in Southern California broadcast journalism:

• Eliana Moreno (Aerial Reporter & Photojournalist): Born and raised in Orange County, Moreno graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She joined Angel City Air that same year and became a familiar voice delivering traffic and breaking news updates for NBC4, Telemundo 52, and previously CBS Los Angeles. Colleagues remembered her boundless enthusiasm, passion for aerial journalism, and deep dedication to covering breaking events such as Southern California wildfires.

• George Marciniw (Pilot): A Southern California native who graduated from Burbank High School in 1974, Marciniw was a seasoned pilot who had partnered with Moreno in the cockpit since 2023.

Reactions and Investigation

Colleagues remembered the pair as the “eyes and ears of the sky” and “the team in the sky,” frequently noting Moreno’s awe of the views and their seamless teamwork during high-pressure breaking news broadcasts. News anchors and reporters across Los Angeles mourned the sudden loss during live broadcasts, and statements of condolence were issued by civic leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash.