From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Live video holds key to LA news chopper crash
NTSB investigators say footage from inside the helicopter moments before impact is crucial to understanding what went wrong.
In brief
NTSB investigators say footage from inside the helicopter moments before impact is crucial to understanding what went wrong. The final broadcast video showing engine problems and pilot distress is the most important evidence investigators have to determine the cause of the crash that killed three people. Originally…
Three killed in LA news chopper crash
NBC Los Angeles helicopter reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and bystander Edy Gutierrez Mejia died when the aircraft crashed in Chatsworth on September 15, 2026.
Live broadcast captured final moments
The helicopter's live video feed shows the aircraft shaking with alarms sounding before it falls. A voice asks 'You can't pull up?' and then the feed cuts off.
“You can't pull up?”
Video is most important evidence
NTSB investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar called the live video feed 'probably the most important evidence' discovered so far in the investigation.
“is probably the most important evidence that we have discovered so far.”
Audio analysis reveals engine problems
Investigators will analyze the video's audio for a sound spectrum analysis. The recording contains sounds consistent with engine speed changes and advisory tones likely alerting pilots to problems.
“sounds that are consistent with the engine changing its speed”
Helicopter was covering bus crash
The NBC Los Angeles helicopter was among several news choppers in the area covering a deadly collision between a Metro bus and an SUV that happened about two hours before the helicopter crash.
Bus crash driver charged with murder
SUV driver Bailee Lynn Rios, allegedly impaired by drugs, was charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence, and reckless driving for the bus collision that killed Daniel Castillo and Gage Weida.
Moreno dreamed of reporting since age 11
Eliana Moreno's family said she dreamed of becoming a reporter since she was 11 years old and turned that dream into reality through hard work and courage.
“Through hard work and courage, she turned that dream into a reality”
Investigation timeline spans 18 months
The NTSB will release a preliminary report in 30 days, but a final report determining the cause of the crash could take up to 18 months to complete.
The bottom line
The final broadcast video showing engine problems and pilot distress is the most important evidence investigators have to determine the cause of the crash that killed three people.
