TV news helicopter crashes during live shot of bus crash in Los Angeles
ASN Crash Report
Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026
Time: c. 18:57 LT
Type: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 Ecureuil
Owner/operator: Tiny Bubbles Aviation Inc, opb KNBC
Registration: N358TV
MSN: 3788
Year of manufacture: 2004
Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities: 1
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Category: Accident
Location: Los Angeles, CA - United States of America
Phase: Manoeuvring
Nature: Aerial patrol
Departure airport: Los Angeles-Whiteman Airport, CA (WHP/KWHP)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative:
A Eurocopter AS 350 B2 Ecureuil, N358TV, crashed during a local news gathering flight in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California.
The helicopter was maneuvering at a low altitude to film the scene of a fatal traffic collision when it lost altitude and struck a commercial property. A severe post crash fire completely consumed the fuselage, heavily damaged four vehicles, and affected two shipping containers.
Both occupants on board the helicopter were killed. Additionally, one pedestrian on the ground was killed and another bystander was injured.
Sources:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/582318
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/helicopter-crashes-los-angeles-chatsworth-rcna598061
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/helicopter-crashes-near-deadly-l-a-metro-bus-crash/
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-15/2-reportedly-killed-in-crash-of-suv-metro-bus-that-leaves-numerous-people-injured
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N358TV
https://www.flightaware.com/resources/registration/N358TV
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a40442
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tstbell/7484859660/in/photolist-2kLM2K5-dMLAnS-e3Bke6-e3GZrm-2qD6G1s-2nrrK7E-2nXWdaa-NtFF31-coyjxu-zLfGG3-jjwNAj-2pXt52q-cxwt8u-5f6FV4-5fbeoN-cxwstb-cppS1u-5fbUMF-zTondR-2rCwGVB-2qdnM83/lightbox/ (photo)