Edy Gutierrez Mejia Identified as Ground Victim in Fatal Chatsworth News Helicopter Crash
CHATSWORTH, Los Angeles — A Guatemalan national residing in Southern California, 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, has been identified as the third victim killed in a news helicopter crash on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026. As reported by regional news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, the fatal aviation incident occurred along the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue in the Chatsworth neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Accident Details and Emergency ResponseAt approximately 7:00 p.m., the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter—operated by Angel City Air for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52—crashed while providing aerial news coverage of an earlier fatal traffic collision nearby. The aircraft descended rapidly between two commercial buildings, coming down in a parking lot adjacent to a self-storage facility. The impact triggered a major fire that engulfed four parked vehicles and two shipping containers, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air. Location: 9100 block of North Mason Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles. Aircraft: Eurocopter AS350 (NewsChopper 4). Victims Onboard: Pilot George Marciniw and reporter Eliana Moreno. Victim on the Ground: Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29, confirmed deceased at the scene by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. Official InvestigationAccording to the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, Mr. Gutierrez Mejia was in the parking lot when the falling aircraft impacted the area. Officials from the Guatemalan consulate confirmed his citizenship and are assisting his family. Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived on Wednesday to examine the wreckage, review mechanical telemetry, and analyze flight recordings to determine the cause of the loss of altitude.