Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw are among the three dead after the NBC Los Angeles helicopter crashed on September 15. A third person on ground was also killed but the individual is yet to be identified. Another person was hurt and taken to a hospital but their condition remains unknown.
NBC Los Angeles confirmed the news about Moreno and Marciniw on air. The helicopter they were in, was covering the crash in Chatsworth where an SUV ploughed into the side of a Metro bus, killing two. The photo showed Marciniw in a blue long-sleeved tee shirt and light brown shorts, while Moreno wore a bright tank top dark blue jeans. Meanwhile, tributes poured in for both. A reporter for The California Post added “R.I.P. to my former colleague @NBCLA @elianamoreno . She was the best at her job and she loved it. Moreno was an aerial photographer and reporter. She was based out of Orange County in Los Angeles. The late chopper pilot’s profile listed his base as Whiteman Airport in Southern California and identified him with Pacific Rotorways Helicopter Training. Apart from flying NBC Los Angeles, Marciniw also instructed new and experienced pilots.
After graduating from Chapman University Moreno worked for NBC LA and TELEMUNDO 52 in Newschopper 4. Marciniw was a helicopter flight instructor for over 30 years and he had accumulated about 14,000 flight hours.
“This is who Eliana was… she was the sweetest human… I’m heartbroken tonight RIP Eliana Moreno,” ABC 7’s helicopter reporter wrote . Tragedy after tragedy today.
A cause for the helicopter crash is not known and the FAA and NTSB have taken over the investigation. Amid this photos of Moreno and Marciniw were shared widely online, with many offering tributes. One person shared a selfie taken by Moreno with Marciniw next to her. Both the reporter and helicopter pilot were seen wearing jackets in what appeared to be a cloudy day. Another photo showed them on a sunny day, standing in front of the NBC LA chopper.
“Rest in peace Eliana Moreno & George Marciniw,” the person wrote followed with a heart emoticon. “Extremely sad night in L.A.,” a page noted, putting a broken heart emoticon.
Footage from moments before the chopper crash surfaced and Moreno could be heard asking Marciniw whether he could pull the helicopter up , even as the camera began to shake at the moment of impact.
