NBC News Helicopter Crash in LA Kills Three Covering Bus Collision

A KNBC news helicopter crashed between two commercial buildings in Chatsworth around 7 p.m. Tuesday while covering a deadly bus collision nearby. The Eurocopter AS350, operated by Angel City Air for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, burst into flames upon impact in a parking lot at 9151 Mason Avenue.

Three people died: reporter Eliana Moreno, 38, pilot George Marciniw, 70, and pedestrian Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29, from Guatemala. Over 70 firefighters responded; four vehicles and two storage containers were damaged.

“We have lost contact with our people”

The helicopter had been airborne for about two hours covering an earlier crash where Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, allegedly drove a Ford Expedition the wrong way, ran a red light, and struck a Metro bus at Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue. Two bus passengers, Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31, were killed and six others injured.

Rios was arrested on murder charges and held on $4 million bail. Her mother, Cindy Rios, said she was shocked and had not spoken to her daughter since the arrest. The district attorney's office is reviewing the case.

NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams broke down on air confirming the loss of her colleagues. Reporter Robert Kovacik, covering the bus crash live, rushed toward the smoke not knowing his crew was aboard. Rival station ABC7 offered condolences, calling the loss "a loss to all of us."

The NTSB and FAA have opened investigations into the helicopter crash. Witnesses reported hearing a cockpit alarm and a woman's voice saying "uh oh" seconds before the aircraft descended uncontrollably. At least eight fatal news helicopter crashes have occurred in the U.S. since 2000, claiming 16 lives.