The Southern California journalism community is grieving the loss of aerial reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, two respected members of the NBC4 and Telemundo 52 news team who died in a helicopter crash in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles.
Moreno and Marciniw were among three people who lost their lives when the helicopter they were using for news coverage went down while supporting aerial reporting operations. Their deaths have left colleagues, friends, viewers, and the wider Los Angeles community mourning the loss of two individuals who dedicated their careers to informing the public.
For several years, Moreno and Marciniw worked together in the skies above Southern California, becoming familiar faces to viewers who relied on their aerial reports during major breaking news events. Since partnering in 2023, the pair covered numerous important stories, including wildfires, traffic incidents, police activity, crashes, and other major events affecting the region.
Eliana Moreno, an Orange County native, built a reputation as a talented journalist with a passion for storytelling. She studied broadcast journalism and political science at Chapman University and became widely recognized for her aerial reporting. Known to many viewers through her social media name “Eli in the heli,” Moreno brought audiences unique perspectives from above while covering some of Southern California’s biggest moments. She is survived by her fiancé.
George Marciniw was a highly experienced pilot with deep roots in Southern California’s aviation community. A graduate of Burbank High School’s class of 1974, Marciniw dedicated much of his life to flying and sharing his knowledge with others. Beyond his work as a pilot, he served as an instructor, helping train future aviators while building a reputation for his extensive experience and professionalism.
At the time of the crash, Moreno and Marciniw were covering a fatal Metro bus crash in Chatsworth. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the helicopter accident, and the identity of the third person who died has not been released.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed their deep sorrow following the tragedy and offered condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues affected by the loss.
For viewers across Southern California, Moreno and Marciniw were more than just names behind aerial coverage. They were trusted professionals who spent years documenting the events that shaped the region. Their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to journalism and aviation will be remembered by the many people whose lives they touched.
As colleagues and loved ones continue to mourn, the legacy of Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw lives on through the stories they covered, the communities they served, and the memories shared by those who knew them.
