The National Transportation Safety Board issued its preliminary report Tuesday on the September crash of a news helicopter in Chatsworth, providing its initial assessment of the moments that led to the accident that claimed the lives of NewsChopper4 reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and a man on the ground, Edy Gutierrez Mejia.
The report summarizes the initial facts that NTSB investigators are working from. It does not contain any conclusions or information about the possible cause.
The NTSB says the helicopter, operated by Angel City Air and providing news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, was flying about 800 feet above ground level near the scene of a fatal Metro bus crash when the live video feed from the helicopter captured sounds that may be instrumental in determining what happened.
“During the last 29 seconds of the flight, the recording captured the helicopter noise as it changed frequency, along with intermittent and continuous horns, consistent with the helicopter’s main rotor high rpm, low rotor rpm and other aural advisories,” the report said.
The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS-350B2, was equipped with warning lights and horns to alert the pilot to potentially hazardous conditions, including if the rotations-per-minute (RPMs) of the engine or main rotor blades begin to exceed, or drop below, the safe operating range.
The accident happened Sept. 15 when Moreno, 38, and Marciniw, 70, were reporting on the crash of an SUV into the side of a Metro bus at Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue that took the lives of two bus passengers, Gage Weida and Daniel Castillo.
During the initial stages of the investigation, the NTSB has asked for video from anyone at the scene. The agency said the live coverage video from the moments before the crash will be a key part of the investigation.
Investigators moved the wreckage of the helicopter to a secure facility in Arizona for further examination. The NTSB also said its investigation will include witness interviews.
A final NTSB report can take months or years.
Born in Orange County, Moreno was a 2010 graduate of Chapman University where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. She joined the Angel City Air helicopter team in September 2010 and has reported for several Southern California media outlets.
Marciniw grew up in Southern California, a 1974 graduate of Burbank High School. The highly regarded pilot with decades of experience in Los Angeles also was an instructor for aspiring aviators who was remembered by those who knew him as kind and humble.
Mejia, 29, was visiting the city from Cuilapa, Guatemala. His cousin, who spoke with NBCLA’s sister station, Telemundo 52, said Mejia had been in town for two days to purchase a car with the intention of selling it back home.
A 36-year-old Simi Valley woman was identified as the driver of the 2004 Ford Expedition that authorities said was traveling the wrong way and ran a red light before broadsiding the bus. She pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, DUI and reckless driving.
