NBC4 Los Angeles reporter Eliana “Eli” Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were identified as the two people aboard the station’s helicopter when it crashed Tuesday night in Chatsworth, killing three people.
Moreno was a veteran aerial reporter who went by “Eli in the Heli” on Instagram. Marciniw was a highly experienced pilot who had logged more than 14,000 hours in the chopper.
The NewsChopper4 was hovering near Nordhoff Street while covering a separate deadly Metro bus collision when it suddenly lost altitude and plunged to the ground.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 released a statement late Tuesday:
“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 crash erupted into a massive fire, engulfing the wreckage and setting several nearby cars ablaze as firefighters rushed to the scene.
NBC4 confirmed on air that the helicopter was its own.
“We have lost contact with our people,” longtime NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams said through tears as the station covered the unfolding crash.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said at least three people were killed. One of the victims was believed to have been a pedestrian who was outside the helicopter when it crashed.
Moreno was a veteran aerial photojournalist and reporter for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 who spent years covering Los Angeles from the sky.
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.”
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