NTSB Releases Photos of Aftermath of Deadly Los Angeles Helicopter Crash

Investigators have released new photos of the charred wreckage from a deadly news helicopter crash that killed three people in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the incident, which occurred while the helicopter was reporting on a separate fatal bus crash.

The collision claimed the lives of NBC photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. The third victim, identified as 29-year-old pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia, was a Guatemalan national who had recently arrived in Los Angeles, according to NBC News.

NBC Los Angeles reported that its NewsChopper4, which also served Telemundo 52, was in the suburb of Chatsworth covering the bus crash that had killed two people. Several other news helicopters were in the vicinity at the time. The driver involved in the bus crash has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The NTSB stated that a report on the cause of the helicopter crash could take up to 18 months to be completed. During a news conference, investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar noted that video circulating on social media, appearing to show the helicopter's viewpoint in the moments before the crash, is considered crucial evidence.

Investigators were collecting data at the crash site, and the helicopter wreckage will be moved to a secure facility for further examination. The NTSB, an independent U.S. government agency, will issue a preliminary report on the incident within 30 days.

Los Angeles is known for its prominent use of helicopters in local news coverage. Stations frequently utilize aerial footage for live reporting on police pursuits, traffic, accidents, and protests. In addition to the three fatalities, two other individuals were transported to the hospital following the incident. Emotional live coverage of the crash occurred on NBC4, with anchors confirming it was their station's helicopter that went down.