Five LA residents died across two Chatsworth crashes, Bass says

News Chopper 4 came down while covering earlier Metro bus collision

The helicopter was identified as News Chopper 4 and was operated by Angel City Air, providing aerial coverage for NBC Los Angeles and its Spanish-language sister station, Telemundo 52. Anchor Colleen Williams confirmed on air that the aircraft had crashed shortly before 7 p.m. local time Tuesday.

The helicopter came down in a parking lot near a self-storage facility in Chatsworth, a community in the San Fernando Valley roughly 25 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening,” NBCLA said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

The helicopter came down between two commercial buildings at the storage facility and landed on two shipping containers and several vehicles parked in the area, the fire department said.

The helicopter had been covering a separate collision involving a Los Angeles Metro bus and an SUV that left at least two people dead and several others injured. That bus crash happened just after 5 p.m., and the helicopter was one of several aircraft covering the scene.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, speaking near the crash site Tuesday evening, described the events as a devastating loss for the city. She thanked emergency crews for their response and offered condolences to the relatives and friends of those who died in both the bus collision and helicopter crash. Bass said five Los Angeles residents had died across the two incidents and said her thoughts were with those mourning their deaths.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and thanked emergency personnel for their work. In a post on X, Newsom said his thoughts were with those affected by the two crashes in Chatsworth, as well as the NBC4 community.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the helicopter crash.