Who Was Eliana Moreno? NewsChopper4 Aerial Journalist Killed in Los Angeles Helicopter Crash
Eliana Moreno was a longtime Southern California aerial journalist and photojournalist whose voice became familiar to viewers watching breaking news coverage from NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52.
Moreno was identified as one of the people aboard NewsChopper4 when the helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. NBC4 said Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air, were killed in the crash.
Who was Eliana Moreno?
Born in Orange County, California, Moreno developed an interest in television journalism at a young age and reportedly knew by age 11 that she wanted to become a television news reporter.
She attended Chapman University and graduated in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.
Shortly after graduating, Moreno joined Angel City Air in September 2010 and began building a career as an aerial photojournalist.
Her work involved much more than simply filming events from a helicopter. Moreno regularly reported live while operating cameras and following fast-developing stories across Southern California.
Over the years, she covered major wildfires, police pursuits, traffic crashes and other breaking-news events from the air.
Moreno previously provided aerial coverage for KCAL and KCBS and later became a familiar presence on NBC4 Los Angeles and Spanish-language Telemundo 52.
She was also able to report in both English and Spanish, allowing her coverage to reach audiences across Southern California.
Eliana Moreno and NewsChopper4
Moreno regularly worked aboard NewsChopper4, providing aerial images and live reports during some of the Los Angeles area’s biggest breaking stories.
On September 15, the helicopter was covering a deadly collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus in Chatsworth when it went down nearby.
NBC4 later identified Moreno and pilot George Marciniw as the crew members aboard the aircraft.
The cause of the helicopter crash has not yet been determined, and federal aviation investigators are examining the accident.
Moreno had spent more than 15 years working in aerial journalism, turning breaking events unfolding across Southern California into live television coverage seen by millions of viewers.
