CHATSWORTH, CA. (THECOUNT) — Eliana Moreno, an NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo reporter, and veteran pilot George Marciniw have been identified as two of three people killed Tuesday evening when a news helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Chatsworth, Los Angeles County.
A third victim, described as a pedestrian, has not been publicly identified.
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Moreno and Marciniw were aboard the helicopter while providing aerial news coverage of a separate fatal bus crash in the Chatsworth area. That earlier collision reportedly left at least two people dead.
BREAKING: A news helicopter crashed and caught fire at the intersection of Prairie St. and Lurline Ave. in Los Angeles, igniting multiple vehicles.
The helicopter was among several news helicopters covering a prior fatal bus crash in the area. Firefighters are responding to the…
— Global Report (@GlobalRpt_) September 16, 2026
The aircraft is believed to have been operated by KNBC, the Los Angeles NBC affiliate. The station and Telemundo 52 later confirmed that the helicopter involved in the crash was providing aerial coverage for both news organizations.
As the crash unfolded, NBC4 anchor Coleen Williams told viewers that the station had “lost contact with our people.” NBC Los Angeles anchors appeared visibly emotional as they continued reporting on the deadly incident live on the air.
Moreno was known to viewers and followers by the social media handle “Eli in the heli,” a reference to her work covering Southern California from the air. She had reportedly flown with Marciniw for approximately three years.
Marciniw was a veteran pilot who listed more than 30 years of flight experience in an instructor profile. He frequently tagged Moreno on social media as the source of photographs taken during their aerial work.
In 2025, Moreno announced her engagement to Robert Barrientos. Barrientos’ social media profile includes a reference to Moreno, accompanied by a heart emoji.
NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 released a joint statement 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 statement said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
The helicopter crash occurred as the news crew was covering the deadly bus collision, adding another tragedy to an already active breaking-news scene in the San Fernando Valley.
Authorities have not publicly released a complete account of what caused the helicopter to crash or identified the pedestrian who died. The circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s final moments remain under investigation.
Chatsworth is a community in the northwestern San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The crash occurred in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
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