A broadcast news helicopter went down in a Chatsworth parking lot Tuesday evening, killing three people on board and on the ground, authorities said. The aircraft, identified by NBC Los Angeles as its own News Chopper 4, had been circling above a fatal bus collision earlier in the day when it crashed shortly before 7 p.m.
The station lost contact with its crew before the helicopter hit the ground near a self-storage facility, according to anchor Colleen Williams, who addressed viewers on air. She said the station needed time to process and regroup after confirming the loss.
A Day of Two Disasters in the San Fernando Valley
The helicopter crash capped an afternoon that had already turned deadly in the Chatsworth community. At 5:03 p.m., a Los Angeles Metro bus and a passenger vehicle collided on Nordhoff Street, leaving two people dead and others injured. Firefighters worked to free people trapped in the wreckage and assess passengers at the scene.
Multiple aircraft, including News Chopper 4, were dispatched to cover the bus crash from above. It was during that coverage that the helicopter went down, crashing into a parking lot at or near the self-storage business.
Flames and a Pedestrian Among the Dead
When first responders arrived at the helicopter crash site, they found the aircraft engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to parked vehicles nearby. Fire Capt. Branden Silverman said at least one of the deceased was a pedestrian on the ground. Three people died at the scene, and one person was taken to a hospital in unknown condition.
Fire and police personnel were already in the area because of the earlier bus collision and were able to respond quickly, Silverman noted.
Investigators Take Over
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the helicopter crash. The NTSB typically leads such inquiries, while the FAA provides technical support. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks, though a full investigation could take months.
As of Wednesday morning, the names of the victims had not been released pending notification of relatives. The station has not said how many crew members were on board, but the helicopter is known to carry a pilot and at least one photographer or reporter.
Mayor Bass Reacts
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement Tuesday night saying she was devastated by the loss of life in both incidents. She said her heart was with the families of the victims of the bus collision and the helicopter crash, and she praised first responders for their quick work.
“This has been a heartbreaking day for our city,” Bass said. “We are grateful to the firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel who responded to both scenes.”
What We Know About the Bus Crash
The Metro bus collision on Nordhoff Street killed two people and injured others. The force of the impact left some passengers trapped, requiring firefighters to use specialized equipment to free them. Several others were assessed for injuries at the scene, though the total number of wounded has not been released.
The bus was traveling on Nordhoff Street when it collided with a passenger vehicle. The cause of that crash remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Community in Shock
Chatsworth, a neighborhood in the northwest San Fernando Valley, is home to a mix of residential streets and industrial parks. The self-storage facility where the helicopter crashed sits near a busy intersection, and debris from the wreckage scattered across the parking lot.
Residents who witnessed the crash described hearing a loud boom and seeing a plume of black smoke. Some rushed toward the scene to help before emergency crews arrived, but the intense flames kept them back.
Continuing Coverage
NBC Los Angeles continued its broadcast with coverage of the crash, though the station acknowledged the difficulty of reporting on its own colleagues. Williams told viewers that the station was relying on its team to gather information while also coping with the loss.
“We are a family here, and we are hurting,” she said. “But we will continue to serve our community, because that is what our colleagues would have wanted.”
The station’s newsroom observed a moment of silence on air Tuesday night. Several contributors, including Insiya Gandhi, Joe Kottke, Bella LoBue, Emilie Dorn, Todd Miyazawa, and Phil Helsel, assisted with the coverage.
Ongoing Investigation
NTSB investigators are expected to arrive in Chatsworth on Wednesday to begin documenting the scene. They will examine the wreckage, interview witnesses, and review maintenance records and flight data. The FAA will also participate in the investigation.
Because the helicopter was covering a news event, the NTSB will look at whether the pilot was distracted or operating under pressure. However, no cause has been determined, and officials cautioned against speculation.
The Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department are assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information about either crash is asked to contact authorities.
What Happens Next
Funeral arrangements for the victims have not been announced. The station is expected to release more information about its crew once families have been notified.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
