Who was Eliana Moreno? The NBC and Telemundo reporter killed in Los Angeles helicopter crash
The Chapman graduate spent more than a decade covering wildfires, traffic incidents and breaking news from NewsChopper4
Eliana Moreno spent years doing the kind of journalism that put her directly above unfolding emergencies, giving viewers a perspective few reporters could provide from the ground.
That work ended Tuesday night when the helicopter carrying Moreno and pilot George Marciniw crashed in Chatsworth while covering a serious traffic collision involving a Metro bus.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 confirmed that Moreno , a longtime aerial photographer and reporter with Angel City Air , was aboard NewsChopper4 when it went down shortly before 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue.
Marciniw was also killed, along with a person on the ground. Two others were taken to the hospital. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Moreno always wanted to be a reporter
Moreno was born in Orange County and graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She had known from an early age what she wanted to do.
Before joining Angel City Air in September 2010, Moreno worked for several Orange County media outlets in both Spanish and English. Her background included reporting, anchoring, producing and camera work.
She was also fluent in Spanish and regularly spoke with students interested in journalism. Her career eventually became closely associated with aerial reporting, particularly during wildfires and fast-moving breaking-news events.
More than dramatic pictures
Moreno ’s role in NewsChopper4 centered on giving viewers useful real-time information from the air. Moreno also provided essential coverage of brushfires and how firefighters were working to contain them.
That type of reporting became a major part of her professional identity. Moreno and Marciniw had reportedly been flying together since 2023.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a joint statement: “We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the September 15 crash involving a Eurocopter AS350 B2, with federal investigators expected at the scene Wednesday.
Moreno ’s death came while she was doing the work she had spent years building her career around: helping viewers understand a developing emergency from the air.
