Three Killed As NBC News Helicopter Crashes And Bursts Into Flames In Los Angeles
Three people have died and two others were injured after a news helicopter crashed and caught fire in Los Angeles while covering a separate fatal rroad accident.
The aircraft came down on Tuesday in Chatsworth, in the San Fernando Valley, where emergency crews were called to the burning wreckage.
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Two Helicopter Occupants Killed
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, two of the people who died were aboard the helicopter, while another person was killed on the ground.
KNBC-TV, which operates as NBC4 in Los Angeles, confirmed that the aircraft had been providing aerial coverage for both NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
The stations expressed their condolences following the crash.
“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,” the two channels said in a statement.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
Journalist And Pilot Among The Dead
KNBC identified the two people killed aboard the helicopter as aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.
Both worked for Angel City Air, the company that operated the aircraft.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the person who died on the ground.
Two other people were injured in the incident and taken to hospital. Their conditions had not been disclosed by Wednesday morning.
Helicopter Explodes After Crash
The helicopter crashed close to two commercial buildings before bursting into flames.
The resulting fire spread to several nearby vehicles and storage containers, prompting firefighters to respond to the scene.
Emergency crews eventually brought the blaze under control.
Aircraft Was Covering Another Crash
The helicopter had been deployed to provide aerial coverage of a separate traffic collision involving an SUV and a city bus.
According to the Associated Press, that crash had already left at least two people dead and six others injured.
The helicopter accident therefore occurred while news crews were covering another major road incident in the area.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash.
The cause of the accident had not been established as investigations continued.