Tragedy Strikes as News Chopper Crashes in Chatsworth

A local news helicopter tragically crashed in Chatsworth on Tuesday evening, resulting in the deaths of three people, including two on board the aircraft. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. while the helicopter was providing aerial coverage of a separate, fatal bus crash nearby.

First responders and officials, including Mayor Karen Bass and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, gathered near the crash site to address the community and express condolences. The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation. This event underscores the critical role and inherent dangers faced by aerial news crews in Southern California.

This is not the first aviation tragedy to affect the local news community. Historical incidents include a fatal crash involving a KNBC 'Telecopter' reporter in 1977 and a Fox 11 helicopter crash at Van Nuys Airport in 2000. An ABC7 chopper was also struck by a suspected drone in 2019.