# News helicopter crashes during live LA coverage, killing three

> An NBC4 chopper went down in Chatsworth while covering a fatal bus accident, sparking a massive fire in a residential area.
- Title: News helicopter crashes during live LA coverage, killing three
- Summary: An NBC4 chopper went down in Chatsworth while covering a fatal bus accident, sparking a massive fire in a residential area. Three people died when a news…
- Keywords: los angeles, chatsworth, nbc4, helicopter crash, news media, los angeles fire department, bus accident, aerial coverage, california, news, world, helicopter
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/16/three-dead-after-news-chopper-crashes-into-la-neighbourhood-during-live-coverage/235404
- Published: 2026-09-16T13:31:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: los angeles, chatsworth, nbc4, helicopter crash, news media, los angeles fire department, bus accident, aerial coverage, california, news, world
## News chopper crashes in LA
A news helicopter went down in a Los Angeles neighborhood while covering a deadly bus accident. Three people aboard were killed in the fiery crash.
## Covering a fatal bus crash
Media had scrambled to cover an SUV that ploughed into a bus in Chatsworth, killing three and injuring many. The helicopter crashed about a block away.
## Reporters heard a loud bang
Reporters at the bus crash scene heard a loud bang and saw the helicopter come down. Plumes of smoke rose into the air.
## Massive fire engulfs wreckage
Aerial footage showed a large fire involving shipping containers and cars. The helicopter's mangled tail and rotors were visible in the flames.
## NBC4 confirms it was theirs
Veteran anchor Colleen Williams confirmed during emotional live coverage that NBC4 had lost contact with its crew and the crashed chopper was theirs.

> We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we'd lost contact with our people out there, and we've just received confirmation.
## Pedestrian killed on the ground
Four patients were assessed at the scene. Three died, including one pedestrian on the ground. One person was hospitalized in unknown condition.
## Competitive LA media market
Los Angeles TV stations compete aggressively for stories. They routinely send helicopters to cover everything from fires to car chases.
## Key takeaway

Three people died when a news helicopter crashed in a Los Angeles neighborhood while covering another deadly accident.