NBC news helicopter crashes in Los Angeles, killing at least three

NBC News Helicopter Crashes in Chatsworth During Coverage of Bus Accident

A NBC News helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during coverage of a separate fatal bus accident, killing at least three people and injuring one. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. near 9151 N. Mason Avenue, where the helicopter struck commercial buildings and parked vehicles, sparking fires that damaged four cars and two storage containers. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that at least one of the victims was a pedestrian in a parking lot, while the other two fatalities were aboard the aircraft, according to officials.

The crash unfolded as emergency crews were responding to a prior collision between an SUV and a Metro bus, which had killed at least two and injured six. The bus accident, which occurred near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, left the SUV lodged in the side of the bus, trapping several individuals. Multiple news helicopters, including NBC’s NewsChopper 4, were on scene covering the incident when the crash occurred. NBC anchor Colleen Williams confirmed the helicopter’s involvement during a live broadcast, stating, “We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received confirmation.”

Emergency Response and Casualties

Over 50 firefighters responded to the helicopter crash, extinguishing flames that spread to nearby vehicles and storage containers. The LAFD described the helicopter as “pretty well destroyed” and emphasized that investigators would need to search through the wreckage to determine the exact number of victims aboard. At least one person was hospitalized in an unknown condition, while three were pronounced dead at the scene. Capt. Branden Silverman of the LAFD noted that the identities of the deceased were not immediately released, and the cause of the crash remained under investigation.

The crash also disrupted ongoing rescue efforts at the bus accident site. Emergency crews had to divert resources to manage the helicopter’s aftermath, which included securing the area and containing the fire. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her devastation, stating, “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash.” The dual incidents created a challenging scenario for first responders, who had to manage two separate emergencies within hours.

Investigation into the Cause of the Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the crash. Officials have not yet disclosed the cause, but they are examining factors such as mechanical failure, weather, or pilot error. The helicopter, operated by Angel City Air for NBC, was one of several news aircraft covering the bus accident. Flight data and witness accounts will be analyzed to determine the sequence of events leading to the crash.

Reports indicate that the helicopter appeared to have landed on top of two shipping containers and several parked vehicles before catching fire. Social media footage showed flames engulfing the wreckage, with emergency crews working to stabilize the scene. The NTSB and FAA are expected to release updates as the investigation progresses, though no timeline has been provided for the findings.

The twin crashes in Chatsworth highlight the risks faced by news crews covering breaking events, as well as the challenges emergency services encounter when managing multiple incidents simultaneously. As the investigation continues, authorities will focus on determining the cause of the helicopter crash and supporting the affected families. The NTSB and FAA are expected to provide further updates in the coming days.