A routine assignment turned tragic Tuesday evening when a news helicopter covering a traffic collision went down in the Chatsworth section of the San Fernando Valley, leaving three people dead.
The aircraft, operated by Angel City Air and affiliated with NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, crashed just before 7 p.m. local time. Killed were pilot George Marciniw, aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno, and a pedestrian on the ground whose identity has not been released.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched investigations into what caused the crash.
Two Lives Devoted to Telling Stories from Above
Moreno, in her late 30s, was a familiar presence to viewers of both stations. Born in Orange County, she graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. That same year she joined the Angel City Air helicopter team, beginning a career that would see her report for multiple Southern California outlets. She was also fluent in Spanish and contributed reporting in that language.
On Instagram, where she went by the handle “Eli in the heli,” Moreno gave followers a window into both her professional and personal worlds. She shared images captured from the news chopper while covering stories, and in one caption wrote, “I have the best job in the world.” Her feed also featured her chickens, pet dogs, and an engagement video posted in 2025 with her fiancé, Robert Barrientos. The couple ran a half-marathon together in May; afterward, Moreno posted about surpassing expectations.
Marciniw, a Southern California native who graduated from Burbank High School in 1974, brought more than three decades of flight experience to the cockpit. He often shared scenic photos and sunset shots taken from the helicopter, crediting Moreno for some of the images. In one post, he referred to their flights as a “news cruise.” Another showed Dodger Stadium at night, with the simple caption “Go Dodgers.” One post mentioned heavy fog and Moreno.
Though Moreno had been with Angel City Air since 2010, the pair only began flying together in 2023. In the relatively short time they shared a cockpit, they developed a working rapport that was evident to those who followed their social media accounts.
Tributes from Colleagues and the Public
By Wednesday, an outpouring of grief and remembrance had begun. Colleen Williams, an anchor at NBC4 Los Angeles, paid tribute to her colleagues on air Tuesday evening, saying the station had lost valued friends and colleagues while they were on assignment.
NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement expressing their sadness and extending condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims.
Online, commenters remembered Marciniw for his professionalism and spirit. One wrote, “Fly high in the great beyond.” Another simply said, “Total utter disbelief.”
Barrientos did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What Happens Next
The NTSB and FAA will examine the wreckage and circumstances surrounding the crash as part of their investigation. The helicopter had been dispatched to cover a separate road traffic accident when it went down. The identity of the pedestrian who died at the scene has not been released.
For now, the stations and the close-knit community of aerial journalists are left to mourn two people who spent their careers bringing Southern California’s stories to the public from the sky.
