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Three Dead After NBC News Helicopter Crashes in Los Angeles

A helicopter covering a previous bus collision in Chatsworth went down, resulting in three fatalities and injuries.

16 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Three Dead After NBC News Helicopter Crashes in Los Angeles — Photo: NTSBgov · Flickr · PDM

A news helicopter belonging to NBC Los Angeles crashed in Chatsworth, California, on Tuesday evening, killing three people. The incident occurred while the helicopter was providing coverage of an earlier bus collision in the area. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed the fatalities at the scene, indicating that among the deceased were the pilot, a reporter, and a bystander.

According to reports, the aerial vehicle went down between two commercial buildings and subsequently burst into flames. Firefighters quickly responded to extinguish the fire, which involved multiple vehicles. The Los Angeles Fire Department has not released the identities of the victims, and investigations into the cause of the crash are being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise before seeing the helicopter plummet to the ground. Live coverage of the incident was being broadcast at the time, and NBC anchors confirmed the news on-air, expressing their condolences for the victims.

Archive photo: Three Dead After NBC News Helicopter Crashes in Los Angeles — Archive photoPhoto: Kuba Bożanowski · Flickr · BY

The helicopter, identified as NewsChopper 4, was said to be on assignment to cover the earlier traffic accident, which had already resulted in injuries and fatalities. The bus collision involved at least two other vehicles, causing significant disruption in the vicinity and prompting multiple emergency responses.

Local authorities have stated that they are still investigating how the helicopter lost control and what factors may have contributed to the crash. Various media outlets reported different details about the situation, including the number of passengers aboard and whether there were others injured in addition to the fatalities.

As the investigation continues, the community is left mourning the loss of life and grappling with the tragic circumstances surrounding the event. This incident highlights the inherent risks faced by news crews covering live events, especially in emergency situations.

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