A news helicopter providing aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 crashed Tuesday evening in Chatsworth, killing three people and sending one person to a hospital. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the crash happened just before 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue, between commercial buildings.
The helicopter, identified by NBCLA as NewsChopper4 and operated by Angel City Air, burst into flames after striking the ground. The fire damaged four parked vehicles and two cargo containers in the area. Multiple news helicopters were in the sky covering a separate Metro bus collision nearby when the crash occurred.
Fire officials said the aircraft was so badly damaged that it was difficult to make out its shape, including the tail section, as crews searched the wreckage and worked to identify the victims. NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a statement that they were deeply saddened by the loss and extended condolences to the families and colleagues of those killed.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued statements expressing condolences to the victims of both the Metro bus crash and the helicopter accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is collecting information and is expected to send investigators to determine what caused the crash.
Source:NBCLA
