Fatal Helicopter Crash in Chatsworth Claims the Lives of Three People
LOS ANGELES — A total of 67 Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters responded to a major emergency incident Tuesday evening after a news helicopter crashed between two commercial buildings.
First-arriving units encountered an active fire stemming from the downed aircraft, which was threatening four nearby vehicles. Firefighters immediately entered an offensive mode, aggressively attacking the flames while simultaneously conducting patient assessment and medical triage.
Through rapid suppression efforts, crews completely extinguished the fire, preventing damage to the surrounding commercial structures. However, four automobiles and two storage containers sustained fire damage.
LAFD personnel identified four patients at the scene. Three individuals were pronounced deceased on scene, while paramedics treated and transported one patient to a local hospital in unknown condition.
The aircraft was providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, reporting on a fatal collision between an MTA bus and a passenger vehicle less than a mile away that injured eight people and left two dead. Representatives for the outlets released the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening."
The crash site remains secured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation.
