Eliana Moreno, a longtime aerial reporter for NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, died alongside pilot George Marciniw when their news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth on September 15, 2026. Here’s what we know about her life and career.
Los Angeles is mourning the loss of one of its most familiar broadcast voices. Eliana Moreno, an aerial photographer and reporter known to viewers of NBC4 Los Angeles and its Spanish-language sister station Telemundo 52, was killed on September 15, 2026, when the news helicopter she was flying in crashed in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley.
Also killed in the crash was veteran pilot George Marciniw. A pedestrian on the ground died as well, and a fourth person was seriously injured, according to authorities and news reports.
What Happened in Chatsworth
The helicopter, operated by Angel City Air and known on air as NewsChopper 4, was covering a separate traffic accident — a deadly collision between an SUV and a Metro bus — when something went wrong with the aircraft. Video from onboard the helicopter reportedly showed the camera shaking violently before the aircraft lost altitude and went down, just before 7 p.m. local time.
The crash is now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Early reporting has pointed to the possibility of engine failure, though an official cause has not yet been confirmed.
Who Was Eliana Moreno?
Moreno, 38, was a familiar presence in Los Angeles television news, known to many viewers and colleagues by her on-air callsign, “Eli in the Heli.” She had built a long career in aerial journalism, providing real-time coverage of breaking news, traffic incidents, and wildfires from above the city.
A graduate of Chapman University, Moreno earned degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She was fluent in Spanish and worked across both NBC4 and Telemundo 52, reporting in English and Spanish throughout her career.
Colleagues have described her as deeply dedicated to her craft from a young age. According to her professional profile, she had known she wanted to be a television news reporter since she was just eleven years old.
Before joining Angel City Air in 2010, Moreno worked as a reporter and anchor for several media outlets in Orange County. She and pilot George Marciniw had flown together since 2023, becoming a familiar on-air pairing for Southern California audiences during major news events.
A Passion for Aerial Journalism
Moreno often spoke about the importance of her work covering breaking news from the sky. She saw aerial reporting as more than just dramatic footage — she viewed it as a way to turn distant events, like wildfires, into critical, potentially life-saving information for viewers on the ground, helping show the scale and progress of emergencies as first responders worked to contain them.
Outside of her on-air work, Moreno was known for mentoring the next generation of journalists, regularly speaking to students at local high schools and colleges about careers in broadcast news.
Engaged Just Months Before Her Death
In a personal milestone celebrated by friends and followers, Moreno had gotten engaged to her partner, Robert Barrientos, in late October 2025 — less than a year before the crash that claimed her life.
Tributes Pour In
News of Moreno’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues, viewers, and the broader Los Angeles news community. Telemundo issued a statement mourning the loss of both Moreno and Marciniw, describing Moreno as a consummate professional and, in the words of colleagues, one of the most respected airborne reporters in Los Angeles.
NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 also released a joint statement expressing their condolences to the families of both Moreno and Marciniw, honoring the pair’s years of dedicated service covering the region’s biggest stories from above.
Remembering a Trusted Voice in LA News
For more than a decade, Eliana Moreno gave Los Angeles viewers a view from above during some of the region’s most significant news events — from wildfires to major accidents. Her death, alongside pilot George Marciniw, marks a profound loss for NBC4, Telemundo 52, and the broader Southern California journalism community.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available, including findings from the NTSB investigation into the cause of the crash.
