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NBC reporter sees helicopter crash without knowing crew inside
NBC reporter Robert Kovacik witnessed helicopter crash in LA without realizing his crew was aboard
In brief
NBC reporter Robert Kovacik witnessed helicopter crash in LA without realizing his crew was aboard NBC4 reporter Robert Kovacik was on-air covering bus crash when helicopter carrying his colleagues crashed Originally reported by Dailymail.
NBC reporter sees helicopter crash
NBC reporter Robert Kovacik witnessed helicopter crash in Los Angeles without knowing his crew was inside
Crash happens during bus coverage
Kovacik was covering a bus crash in Chatsworth when the helicopter went down in a parking lot
Crew unaware of danger
Kovacik rushed to the crash site with his crew as the aircraft was engulfed in flames
First responders warn crew
Dark clouds of smoke billowed as firefighters begged Kovacik to stay away from the area
Crew's desperate plea
Kovacik pleaded with first responders: 'Trust me, I am putting my own life in my own hands'
Crew's identity revealed
Kovacik learned his colleagues were Eliana Moreno, 38, and pilot George Marciniw, 70
Crew's emergency call
An anchor interrupted Kovacik: 'Robert, we need you to move towards the smoke immediately'
Crew's confusion
Kovacik turned to Fox 11 reporter Ed Laskos: 'What are you hearing?' Laskos replied: 'It's a media helicopter'
Crew's realization
Kovacik realized the helicopter was NBC4's NewsChopper4 carrying his colleagues
Crew's aftermath
NBC4 confirmed the helicopter was their news aircraft, but they had lost contact with their crew
Crew's injuries
Two people died in the crash, including Moreno and Marciniw, while others were injured
Crew's impact
LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed condolences for the victims
Crew's investigation
Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash
Crew's aftermath
The intersection where the crashes occurred will be closed for 'quite some time'
Crew's legacy
Moreno had been flying news choppers since 2010 and was due to marry her boyfriend Robert Barrientos
Crew's legacy
Marciniw had logged over 14,000 hours flying news helicopters and had been flying with Moreno since 2023
At a glance
NBC4 reporter Robert Kovacik was on-air covering bus crash when helicopter carrying his colleagues crashed
