News Helicopter Crash in Los Angeles Leaves Three Dead

WHO:

Los Angeles Times - The helicopter was owned by Tiny Bubbles Aviation Inc., which operates news helicopters for KNBC and KTLA.

Los Angeles Times - Lawrence Welk III, president of Welk Aviation, confirmed the company is cooperating with investigators regarding the crash.

Variety - The helicopter was identified as NBCLA's NewsChopper4.

NBC News - Governor Gavin Newsom expressed condolences, stating, "Our hearts are with the victims and families."

CBS News - The helicopter was confirmed to be operated by NBC Los Angeles, specifically NewsChopper4.

NBC News - The victims included pilot George Marciniw and reporter Eliana Moreno, both associated with NBC Los Angeles.

CBS News - LAFD Captain Branden Silverman stated, "The helicopter itself, it's pretty well destroyed, so we are going to have to go through the rubble and see how many victims there were on board as well as identify the helicopter."

NBC News - Colleen Williams, an NBC4 Los Angeles anchor, confirmed the crash during a live broadcast just before 9 p.m.

NBC News - Eliana Moreno was identified as a veteran aerial reporter who went by “Eli in the Heli” on Instagram.

NBC News - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass offered prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims.

NBC News - LAFD Captain Branden Silverman confirmed that one victim was outside the helicopter when it crashed.

NBC News - The victims of the helicopter crash included reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.

NBC News - The helicopter was operated by Angel City Air.

Fox News - One of the victims was identified as a pedestrian in the parking lot.

NBC News - The helicopter involved was operated by NBC Los Angeles, specifically NewsChopper4.

ABC News - Colleen Williams, an NBC4 Los Angeles anchor, confirmed the crash during a live broadcast.

Fox News - LAFD Capt. Branden Silverman provided details about the crash and the victims.

WHAT:

Los Angeles Times - Authorities announced the arrest of Bailee Lynn Rios, who was driving the SUV that crashed into the bus, on suspicion of murder.

Los Angeles Times - Rios is being held in lieu of $4 million bail.

Deadline - The helicopter crash occurred while covering a nearby L.A. Metro bus crash that killed two people and injured six others.

Fox News - The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that 56 firefighters responded to the crash.

CBS News - The helicopter was reported to have landed on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles.

CBS News - The helicopter crash occurred while covering a bus accident that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries.

IJR - The helicopter crash sparked a large fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers.

CBS News - The helicopter crash resulted in a large fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers.

NBC News - A total of four people were assessed at the scene, with three pronounced dead and one transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.

CBS News - The helicopter crash resulted in a large fire that spread to nearby vehicles, with four cars and two storage containers damaged.

CBS News - A total of four people were assessed at the scene, with three pronounced dead and one transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.

CBS News - The helicopter crash occurred while covering a bus accident that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries.

Fox News - The crash sparked a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers before firefighters extinguished the flames, with no nearby structures exposed to the fire.

IJR - The helicopter was reported to have crashed while covering a deadly bus accident, with the incident occurring near Mason Avenue around 6:57–7 p.m.

CBS News - The helicopter crash occurred between two commercial buildings, specifically at 9151 N. Mason Ave.

IJR - The helicopter was reported to have crashed while covering a bus accident that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries.

NBC News - The helicopter was confirmed to be operated by Angel City Air as NewsChopper4.

Fox News - The crash sparked a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers before firefighters extinguished the flames.

Fox News - The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that 56 firefighters responded to the crash.

CBS News - The helicopter was confirmed to have landed on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles.

CBS News - A total of four people were assessed at the scene, with three pronounced dead and one transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.

CBS News - The helicopter was described as "pretty well destroyed," complicating the identification of victims on board.

NBC News - The helicopter crash resulted in three fatalities, including two individuals who were part of the helicopter crew.

NBC News - The helicopter was confirmed to be operated by Angel City Air, specifically as NewsChopper4.

CBS News - A fourth victim was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition.

NBC News - The helicopter was confirmed to be NewsChopper4.

Fox News - At least three people were killed and one was hospitalized after the helicopter crash.

ABC News - The helicopter crashed while covering a nearby bus accident that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries.

CBS News - The helicopter crash caused a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers.

WHERE:

NBC News - The crash occurred near the 9100 block of N. Mason Avenue.

Fox News - The crash occurred in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, specifically at 9151 N. Mason Ave.

ABC News - The helicopter went down near a storage building in Chatsworth, close to the site of the bus crash.

WHEN:

NBC News - The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will send investigators on Wednesday.

NBC News - The helicopter crash happened just before 7 p.m. on a Tuesday evening.

ABC News - The bus accident that the helicopter was covering occurred approximately two hours before the helicopter crash.

WHY:

Los Angeles Times - Rios was allegedly driving a gray 2004 Ford Expedition southbound in the northbound lanes when she ran a red light, leading to the bus crash.

NBC News - The helicopter was covering a bus accident that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries.

IJR - The helicopter was reportedly covering the scene of a deadly bus crash when it went down.

HOW:

Los Angeles Times - The helicopter was a Eurocopter AS350 B2, a model commonly used for news and law enforcement due to its reliability.

CBS News - Firefighters and Los Angeles police erected a canopy over one body after extinguishing the flames from the crash.

CBS News - Firefighters and Los Angeles police erected a canopy over one body after extinguishing the flames.

NBC News - Firefighters extinguished the flames that erupted after the helicopter crash, which damaged four vehicles and two storage containers.

CBS News - Firefighters erected a canopy over one body after extinguishing the flames.

CBS News - The helicopter appeared to have landed on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles.

ABC News - Firefighters extinguished the flames that erupted after the helicopter crash.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 03:59 UTC)

Authorities have arrested Bailee Lynn Rios on suspicion of murder after she allegedly drove a gray 2004 Ford Expedition in the wrong direction and ran a red light, resulting in a crash with a bus. Rios is currently being held on a bail of $4 million. Meanwhile, the helicopter involved in the incident, a Eurocopter AS350 B2, was owned by Tiny Bubbles Aviation Inc., and Lawrence Welk III, president of Welk Aviation, has confirmed that the company is cooperating with investigators.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 01:21 UTC)

A helicopter crash occurred while covering a nearby L.A. Metro bus accident that tragically resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that 56 firefighters responded to the scene, where the helicopter landed on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles. After extinguishing the flames, firefighters and police erected a canopy over one of the bodies at the crash site.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:00 UTC)

A helicopter identified as NBCLA's NewsChopper4 crashed while covering a bus accident that tragically resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his condolences, stating, "Our hearts are with the victims and families," as the crash ignited a large fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers. Firefighters and Los Angeles police worked diligently to extinguish the flames and erected a canopy over one body at the scene.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 20:59 UTC)

A helicopter operated by NBC Los Angeles, known as NewsChopper4, crashed while covering a bus accident that had already claimed two lives and left six others injured. The crash resulted in a large fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers, with three people pronounced dead at the scene and one individual transported to a local hospital in unknown condition. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are set to arrive on Wednesday to look into the incident.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 20:00 UTC)

A helicopter crash in Los Angeles has resulted in a devastating scene, with LAFD Captain Branden Silverman reporting that the helicopter is "pretty well destroyed," prompting a search through the rubble for victims and identification. The crash ignited a large fire that spread to nearby vehicles, damaging four cars and two storage containers, while emergency responders assessed four individuals at the scene, tragically pronouncing three dead and transporting one to a local hospital in unknown condition. Firefighters and police worked diligently to extinguish the flames and erected a canopy over one of the bodies as they managed the aftermath of this tragic incident.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:00 UTC)

A helicopter crash occurred while covering a deadly bus accident that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries near Mason Avenue. The crash sparked a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers, but firefighters quickly extinguished the flames with no nearby structures at risk. After the fire was put out, firefighters and Los Angeles police erected a canopy over one of the bodies at the scene.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 17:58 UTC)

A helicopter operated by Angel City Air, known as NewsChopper4, crashed between two commercial buildings at 9151 N. Mason Ave while covering a bus accident that tragically resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The crash ignited a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers, but firefighters were able to extinguish the flames and subsequently erected a canopy over one body at the scene. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as details emerge.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 16:58 UTC)

A helicopter crash in Los Angeles has been confirmed by Colleen Williams, an anchor at NBC4, during a live broadcast just before 9 p.m. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that 56 firefighters responded to the incident, which involved the helicopter landing on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles. After extinguishing the flames, firefighters and police erected a canopy over one body at the scene.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 14:57 UTC)

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has offered prayers to the families of the victims following a tragic helicopter crash that left three people dead and one in critical condition. Firefighters and police worked diligently at the scene, erecting a canopy over one body after extinguishing the flames, while LAFD Captain Branden Silverman confirmed that one victim was outside the helicopter when it went down. The helicopter was reported to be "pretty well destroyed," making it difficult to identify those on board.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:57 UTC)

A tragic helicopter crash has resulted in three fatalities, including reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, who were part of the crew operating NewsChopper4 for Angel City Air. Firefighters responded promptly, extinguishing the flames that erupted from the crash, which also caused damage to four vehicles and two storage containers. The incident has raised concerns and garnered attention as investigations into the cause continue.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:03 UTC)

A helicopter operated by Angel City Air, identified as NewsChopper4, crashed near the 9100 block of N. Mason Avenue while covering a bus accident that had already resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. One of the victims was a pedestrian in the parking lot, and a fourth victim was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are set to arrive on Wednesday to look into the incident.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 10:57 UTC)

A tragic helicopter crash in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles has resulted in the deaths of at least three people, with one individual hospitalized. The helicopter, operated by NBC Los Angeles's NewsChopper4, was covering a nearby bus accident that had already claimed two lives and injured six others. Colleen Williams, an anchor for NBC4 Los Angeles, confirmed the crash during a live broadcast, while LAFD Captain Branden Silverman provided further details about the incident. The helicopter went down just before 7 p.m. near a storage building, landing on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles, which sparked a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames that erupted following the crash.