3 dead, 1 hospitalized after news helicopter crashes in Los Angeles commercial area
NBC Los Angeles Helicopter Crashes in Chatsworth, Three Killed
An NBC Los Angeles news helicopter, known as NewsChopper 4, crashed on the evening of Tuesday night between two commercial buildings in the Chatsworth section of Los Angeles. The incident left three people dead and a fourth hospitalized, authorities said.
The helicopter was operating near 9151 N. Mason Avenue, the site of the impact. Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) crews arrived just before 7 p.m. after the crash was reported. The department dispatched 56 firefighters, who quickly fought a blaze that damaged four parked vehicles and two storage containers. No nearby buildings were reported to have sustained structural damage.
LAFD Captain Branden Silverman confirmed that one of the fatalities was a pedestrian who had been standing in a parking lot at the time of the impact. Whether the other casualties were passengers on the helicopter or additional ground victims has not yet been clarified by authorities, who also have not released a definitive count of those aboard the aircraft.
NBC Los Angeles confirmed that the helicopter involved was its NewsChopper 4. The network did not yet disclose how many crew members were on board or the identities of the deceased.
The crash occurred while several other television news helicopters were in the area, covering a separate, fatal Metro bus collision that also took place in Chatsworth that evening. The proximity of the two incidents has drawn heightened attention from city officials.
Mayor Karen Bass released a statement expressing her sorrow over the loss of life. “I’m absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight,” she said. “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash.”
The Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Transportation are conducting an investigation into the circumstances that led to the helicopter’s loss of control and subsequent impact. No cause has been announced, and the Department of Aviation has yet to issue a preliminary report.
The individual who was transported to a local hospital was described by responders as in an unknown condition. Hospitals have not yet released details about his or her injuries. The LAFD and the Los Angeles Fire Department are still canvassing the scene for additional evidence.
As the investigation continues, city officials and the NBC network have pledged cooperation with authorities. The incident underscores the risks inherent in aerial news gathering, a fact that has prompted renewed discussions among aviation and emergency response agencies about safety protocols for helicopters operating over densely populated urban areas.
The story remains developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.