NBC News Helicopter Crash Kills Reporter Eliana Moreno, Pilot George Marciniw

Aerial reporter Eliana Moreno, known to viewers as "Eli in the Heli," and pilot George Marciniw were killed Tuesday when the NBC4 Los Angeles NewsChopper4 they were aboard crashed in Chatsworth. The helicopter was hovering near Nordhoff Street to cover a separate, fatal Metro bus collision when it lost altitude and went down, erupting into a fiery wreck that consumed the aircraft and ignited nearby vehicles.

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 confirmed the loss in a joint statement. "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 statement read. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives."

Moreno was a veteran aerial photojournalist and reporter who had covered Los Angeles from the sky for years, beginning her career in aerial news coverage in 2010 after graduating from Chapman University. She previously worked for KCAL 9 and KCBS 2 before joining NBC4, flying aboard NewsChopper4 around 2018 or 2019. While airborne, she served as photographer, reporter, and editor.

Marciniw was described as a highly experienced pilot who had logged more than 14,000 flight hours. Tributes began appearing on social media following the news of the crash.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and confirmed at least three fatalities, with one victim believed to be a pedestrian outside the helicopter at the time of the crash.