LA News Helicopter Crashes During Bus Accident Coverage, Killing At Least 3
- 15, 2026, when a news helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles.
- It fell between two commercial buildings in the suburban San Fernando Valley area, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
- Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Rico Gross stated at a late evening news conference that three members of the community lost their lives.
At least three people died on Sept. 15, 2026, when a news helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles. Reporters had been in the area covering a separate vehicle collision.
Chatsworth News Helicopter Crash Leaves Three Dead
The aircraft went down shortly before 7 p.m. local time. It fell between two commercial buildings in the suburban San Fernando Valley area, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Upon impact, the helicopter and several nearby vehicles caught fire.
Emergency Response Battles Flames Near Commercial Buildings
Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Rico Gross stated at a late evening news conference that three members of the community lost their lives. Two individuals were transported to the hospital.
Fire Capt. Branden Silverman told reporters that emergency crews initially found one victim outside the helicopter in a parking lot, where that person was declared dead at the scene. When firefighters arrived, the helicopter and several vehicles were fully engulfed in flames.
The blaze threatened a nearby commercial structure, but crews prevented it from spreading into the building. More than 70 firefighters responded to the scene, extinguishing the fire by approximately 8 p.m. local time. Four vehicles and two storage containers sustained damage.
Broadcasters Confirm Chopper 4 Involved
Authorities have not yet released information regarding those on board the helicopter or identified the aircraft, which Silverman noted was heavily destroyed.
Colleen Williams, an anchor for NBC4 Los Angeles, confirmed on air at about 9 p.m. local time that the station’s Chopper 4 had gone down. Earlier in the evening, the station reported losing contact with one of its helicopters operated by Angel City Air.
NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement confirming that the helicopter involved was providing aerial news coverage for both stations.
Airspace Crowded Following Earlier Metro Bus Collision
Several television news helicopters were already in the airspace above Chatsworth to report on a separate crash involving a Los Angeles Metro bus and a passenger vehicle, according to KNBC-TV and The Los Angeles Times. The fire department confirmed that at least two people died and six others were injured in that initial bus collision.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared a statement on social media expressing devastation over the loss of life and offering condolences to the families affected by both the bus collision and the helicopter crash. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement on X extending support to the victims’ families and thanking first responders.
Federal Authorities Launch Investigations
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the cause of the helicopter crash.