George Marciniw Obituary, Cause of Death – Veteran Southern California Helicopter Pilot Killed in Chatsworth Crash at 74
The George Marciniw obituary remembers a veteran Southern California helicopter pilot whose decades-long aviation career included aerial news coverage of some of the region’s most significant breaking-news events.
Marciniw died on September 15, 2026, when the NewsChopper 4 helicopter crashed in Chatsworth while he and reporter Eliana Moreno were covering another deadly traffic collision.
The crash killed both Marciniw and Moreno, who were employees of Angel City Air, the company operating the helicopter used for aerial coverage by NBC4 and Telemundo 52. A third person on the ground, 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, also died.
George Marciniw Death and Chatsworth Helicopter Crash
The helicopter crashed shortly before 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue in Chatsworth, in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
Marciniw and Moreno had been providing aerial coverage of another serious crash involving a Metro bus when their own helicopter went down. The aircraft crashed in a commercial area between buildings, and a fire broke out following the impact.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the crash damaged four vehicles and two storage containers. More than 70 firefighters responded to the scene as crews worked to extinguish the fire and secure the area.
Two other people were hospitalized following the incident.
George Marciniw’s Aviation Career
Marciniw spent decades working in helicopter aviation and became closely associated with Southern California’s aerial news operations.
He grew up in the region and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. Alongside his work as a news helicopter pilot, he also worked as a flight instructor, helping other pilots develop their aviation skills.
His career placed him above some of Southern California’s major breaking-news scenes, including fires, police pursuits, traffic collisions and other emergencies.
His extensive experience in aviation made him a familiar figure within the region’s helicopter and television news communities.
George Marciniw and Eliana Moreno
Marciniw and Eliana Moreno had worked together as an aerial news team since 2023.
Moreno, 38, joined Angel City Air in 2010 and developed a career covering Southern California news from the air. She worked with multiple television news organizations and most recently provided aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
Together, Marciniw and Moreno were part of a specialized operation that combined aviation and journalism, giving television audiences a view of major incidents from above.
Their final assignment was another breaking-news story in Chatsworth. While covering that incident, the NewsChopper 4 helicopter crashed nearby.
George Marciniw Cause of Death
George Marciniw died as a result of the September 15 helicopter crash in Chatsworth.
However, the specific cause of the helicopter crash itself remains under investigation.
Officials have not publicly attributed the crash to mechanical failure, pilot error, weather or another specific factor.
Investigation Into the Crash
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration responded to the crash site.
The investigation includes examination of the aircraft wreckage and other evidence related to the flight.
The helicopter was reportedly transmitting live footage when it crashed, making available video and other recordings potentially relevant to investigators.
A final determination about what caused the crash is expected to take substantially longer than the initial investigation at the scene.
Remembering George Marciniw
Marciniw will be remembered for a career that brought together aviation, instruction and aerial journalism.
His work required extensive flying experience as well as the ability to operate in demanding situations while supporting live television coverage.
For colleagues and acquaintances across Southern California’s aviation and news communities, his death represents the loss of a pilot whose professional life was closely connected to the region.
His passing also came alongside the death of Moreno, transforming a routine news assignment into a tragedy for their families, colleagues and the wider Los Angeles journalism community.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Funeral and memorial arrangements for George Marciniw had not been publicly announced in the information provided.
Additional details regarding visitation, funeral services or memorial events may be released by his family or other authorized sources.
Marciniw and Moreno are also expected to be remembered through the Fallen Journalists Memorial, which honors journalists and news professionals who die while covering the news.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | George Marciniw |
| Location | Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California |
| Date of Crash | September 15, 2026 |
| Occupation | Helicopter pilot and flight instructor |
| News Operation | NewsChopper 4 / NBC4 and Telemundo 52 aerial coverage |
| Helicopter Operator | Angel City Air |
| Other Person Killed Aboard | Eliana Moreno |
| Person Killed on Ground | Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29 |
| Crash Location | 9100 block of North Mason Avenue |
| Cause of Crash | Under investigation |
| Federal Investigation | NTSB and FAA |
| Funeral Arrangements | Not publicly announced |
George Marciniw leaves behind a decades-long aviation career and a professional legacy shaped by aerial reporting, flight instruction and service to the Southern California news community.
His death in the Chatsworth helicopter crash marks a profound loss for his family, friends, colleagues and the many people whose work brought him into contact with Southern California’s news and aviation communities.