Additional Coverage:
- David Muir shares terrifying ‘final moments’ in ‘horrific’ crash that left 3 people dead (themirror.com)
David Muir opened ABC’s World News Tonight on Wednesday with a somber report on the tragic helicopter crash in Los Angeles that claimed three lives.
“The KNBC news helicopter crashed Tuesday evening, killing two people on board-a veteran reporter and her pilot-as well as a person on the ground,” Muir said during the September 16 broadcast. The incident occurred while the crew was covering a fatal bus and SUV collision in the San Fernando Valley.
Though ABC News chose not to air the final moments of the helicopter’s footage, Muir shared the last words heard on the KNBC broadcast. “The helicopter suddenly fell out of the sky, crashed, and burst into flames,” he described, calling it a “horrific” event.
The victims were identified as reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both aboard the helicopter, and 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was struck on the ground. The crash happened near 9151 N. Mason Avenue in the Chatsworth neighborhood shortly before 7 p.m.
Audio from the final moments revealed Moreno asking, “Can you… you can’t pull up?” just before the helicopter shuddered and the video abruptly ended. Muir noted that Moreno and Marciniw had worked together extensively since 2023, covering major stories such as the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. Investigator Fabian Salazar emphasized that the helicopter’s onboard video is critical evidence. While a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, the full investigation could take up to 18 months to determine the cause of the crash.
This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists and pilots face while delivering the news.