From Los Angeles Times · · 3m
NBC4 helicopter crash recording reveals final moments
Audio from the live broadcast captured the crew's last seconds before the deadly Chatsworth crash that killed three people.
In brief
Audio from the live broadcast captured the crew's last seconds before the deadly Chatsworth crash that killed three people. The helicopter's live broadcast audio, showing engine failure while hovering at low altitude, is the most critical evidence in the crash investigation. Originally reported by Los Angeles Times.
Two disasters in one night
A Metro bus collision in Chatsworth was followed by an NBC4 helicopter crash covering the scene. Five people died across both incidents.
Federal investigators on scene
The NTSB and FAA are examining the wreckage, maintenance logs, weather reports, and pilot training. They're trying to determine what caused the Eurocopter AS350 B2 to go down.
Live broadcast captured everything
Audio from the helicopter's live feed recorded the engine winding down, a warning horn, and Moreno asking "You can't pull up?" before the crash.
“That video is probably the most important piece of evidence we have recovered so far”
Three victims identified
Reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia on the ground were killed when the chopper went down around 7 p.m.
Engine shutdown, not fuel loss
The sound captured was the engine shutting down, reducing power to rotor blades. Fire after the crash indicated fuel remained, so engines failed for another reason.
“First, the engine starts winding down, which in turn reduces power to the rotor blades. Then you hear the horn warning of low rotor RPM.”
Autorotation safety maneuver
When rotors stop, pilots can use upward airflow from descending to spin blades and control the aircraft. It's like a plane gliding, but with rotors instead of wings.
The worst possible position
The helicopter was hovering at low altitude with no forward momentum. This gave the pilot almost no chance to execute the emergency maneuver successfully.
“In this case, he's in the worst part of the height-velocity curve. That is a dangerous place to be.”
Dead man's curve
Hovering with little altitude and no momentum is called the "dead man's curve" by pilots. But news and police helicopters must operate this way regularly.
“That's the worst place to be if you have a problem”
Helicopter owner cooperating
The 22-year-old aircraft was owned by Tiny Bubbles Aviation, operated by Welk Aviation. The company is working with investigators but won't speculate on the cause.
Explosion heard blocks away
Residents and first responders at the bus crash heard an explosion and saw a fireball. The helicopter had smashed into truck cargo containers between two buildings.
NBC4 covers its own tragedy
Anchor Colleen Williams told viewers the station lost contact with its crew. Around 9 p.m., she confirmed the NBC4 team had crashed.
“They were sacrificing their lives in service of their community”
Wrong-way driver arrested
Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was arrested on suspicion of murder. She was driving southbound in northbound lanes when her SUV ran a red light and hit the Metro bus.
Two bus passengers killed
Gage Weida, 31, and Daniel Castillo, 46, died at the scene. One passenger was ejected from the bus, another partially ejected. Six others were hospitalized.
“Anybody could be gone in a minute, you know?”
What matters most
The helicopter's live broadcast audio, showing engine failure while hovering at low altitude, is the most critical evidence in the crash investigation.
