NewsChopper4 Crash Investigation Continues as Final Broadcast Becomes Key Evidence

The investigation into the deadly NewsChopper4 helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, is continuing as federal investigators examine the aircraft’s final moments and the live broadcast that captured what happened just before the crash.

The helicopter, operated by Angel City Air, crashed on September 15, 2026, while reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were covering a separate collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus. Both Moreno and Marciniw were killed, along with 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was on the ground.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. NTSB investigator-in-charge Fabian Salazar said the live video recorded from the helicopter is among the most important pieces of evidence investigators have obtained so far. The agency plans to preserve and analyze the original recording, including its audio, for clues about what occurred inside the cockpit.

The final moments of the broadcast reportedly captured the helicopter shaking before it began descending. Investigators also heard sounds consistent with changes in engine speed, along with tones believed to be cockpit advisories. The NTSB said the recording will undergo detailed sound-spectrum analysis.

Video from the scene also appears to show the helicopter losing altitude before crashing into a parking area between commercial buildings. Witness descriptions of the aircraft wobbling or descending gradually are being considered as part of the investigation, but they do not establish what caused the crash.

Investigators are particularly interested in determining what happened to the helicopter’s engine and rotor system in the moments before the descent. While the recording includes what may be a warning horn, officials have not announced that a particular cockpit warning caused the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.

The NTSB has said a preliminary report is expected in roughly 30 days, while determining the probable cause of the crash could take considerably longer. The agency noted that a final report could take many months or potentially up to 18 months.

As investigators work to understand the tragedy, tributes have continued across Los Angeles. On September 21, the Los Angeles Rams honored Moreno and Marciniw at SoFi Stadium by displaying their portraits alongside two bouquets of white flowers and a card reading “In loving memory” in the press area.

Exactly one week after the crash, Moreno’s fiancé, Robert Barrientos, also shared an emotional tribute. He thanked those who had offered prayers and support and remembered Moreno as someone deeply passionate about her work. He said the couple had planned to eventually retire and move to Tennessee, where they hoped to have land and care for animals.

Barrientos said he remains heartbroken by the sudden loss and expressed gratitude for the memories others have shared of Moreno. His tribute came as family, friends, colleagues and viewers continued mourning the reporter who spent years covering stories from the sky.

For now, the cause of the helicopter crash remains undetermined. The final broadcast may provide investigators with critical clues, but only the completion of the NTSB investigation will establish what ultimately caused NewsChopper4 to go down.

Source: ABC7