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NTSB, FAA Launch Joint Investigation After Chatsworth AS350 Crash

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 6:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Helicopter Crashes

A Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter crashed near a bus collision in Chatsworth, killing three.
Reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and ground victim Edy Gutierrez Mejia died.
NTSB Investigator Fabian Salazar identified cockpit audio of engine slowdown as key evidence.
The NTSB and FAA will conduct a joint investigation of the crash.

Summary

John Silva Innovates

John Silva created the first news helicopter, the Telecopter, in Los Angeles in 1958.
Procter & Gamble funded the inaugural Telecopter broadcasts with a $250,000 sponsorship, sparking record advertising revenue.
The 1977 KNBC crash killed former U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers and cameraman George Spears, prompting early safety reforms.
After the 2007 Phoenix mid-air collision, five local stations agreed to share a single news helicopter to reduce risk.

History

Historical Context

On August 1 1977 a KNBC Bell 206 news helicopter ran out of fuel, killing former spy Francis Gary Powers and cameraman George Spears, prompting early NTSB safety scrutiny of airborne reporting. Over four decades later, on September 15 2026 another KNBC Eurocopter AS350 crashed in Chatsworth, killing journalist Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and a pedestrian—three fatalities—reviving calls for stricter helicopter-news regulations.

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Helicopter Crashes

A Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter crashed near a bus collision in Chatsworth, killing three.
Reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and ground victim Edy Gutierrez Mejia died.
NTSB Investigator Fabian Salazar identified cockpit audio of engine slowdown as key evidence.
The NTSB and FAA will conduct a joint investigation of the crash.

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