NBC4 Los Angeles reporter Eliana “Eli” Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were identified as two of the three people killed when the station’s news helicopter crashed Tuesday night in Chatsworth.
Moreno, a seasoned aerial journalist known to followers on Instagram as “Eli in the Heli,” had long reported from above Los Angeles. Marciniw was an accomplished aviator with more than 14,000 flight hours in the helicopter.
The station’s NewsChopper4 was hovering near Nordhoff Street while covering another fatal Metro bus crash when it abruptly began losing altitude and fell to the ground.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 issued a statement late Tuesday night:
“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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
The impact sparked an enormous fire that consumed the wreckage and ignited several vehicles nearby. Firefighters quickly converged on the crash site.
NBC4 later confirmed during its live coverage that the helicopter involved was operated by the station.
“We have lost contact with our people,” veteran NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams said tearfully as the newsroom reported on the unfolding tragedy.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said at least three people died. Authorities believed one victim was a pedestrian who was outside the helicopter when it came down.
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Moreno was a longtime aerial photojournalist and reporter for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, spending years documenting major stories across Los Angeles from the air.
She had been flying in news choppers since 2010.
She covered police pursuits, brush fires, traffic and major local events from the air.
Moreno began her career in the air shortly after graduating from Chapman University in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.
She later worked for KCAL 9 and KCBS 2 before joining NBC and flying aboard NewsChopper4 around 2018 or 2019.
While airborne, Moreno worked as the photographer, reporter and editor.
Tributes quickly poured onto social media after news of the crash spread.
“May God have mercy on your beautiful soul, Eliana, and may choirs of angels welcome you into the Kingdom of Heaven. May your light shine on forever.”