Published: September 16, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Chatsworth, CA) – A television news helicopter went down in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles on Tuesday evening, killing the two crew members aboard as well as a person on the ground, according to officials.
The aircraft, which provided aerial coverage for NBC LA, was flying above the scene of an earlier fatal bus collision in the neighborhood when the station lost contact with its crew, NBC LA reported. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the helicopter came down between two buildings along Mason Avenue, just north of Nordhoff Street, at around 7 p.m.
The helicopter caught fire after it crashed and was already engulfed in flames when crews reached the scene, according to the fire department. Two people aboard the aircraft and a pedestrian who had not yet been identified were declared dead at the location, officials said. One additional person was transported to a nearby hospital, and their condition was not known.
The crash occurred the same day as a deadly Metro bus collision in the neighborhood that left two people dead, officials said. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who went to the scene, called it "a very, very, very tragic day in Los Angeles," referring to both incidents.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Chatsworth Helicopter Collision
An aviation crash that also strikes someone on the ground raises legal questions that are examined under both federal aviation oversight and California civil law. Federal investigators, typically the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, generally lead the inquiry into an aircraft's mechanical condition, maintenance history, and the circumstances of the flight. Those findings often shape any later civil claims, and nothing below assumes any conclusion about how or why this aircraft came down.
Under California law, the general duty of ordinary care set out in Civil Code section 1714(a) provides the framework for evaluating conduct that injures another person. Where a death results, the successors of a person who dies may be able to pursue a survival claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30, while eligible family members – generally a spouse, domestic partner, or children – may bring a wrongful death action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. The measure of any recoverable damages in such matters is governed by Civil Code section 3333, which addresses compensation for detriment proximately caused by a wrongful act.
Because a pedestrian on the ground was among those killed, and because multiple parties and entities could be involved, responsibility in a case like this is not necessarily assigned to a single actor. California's comparative fault rules under Civil Code section 1431.2 allocate non-economic damages according to each party's proportional share of fault, meaning any analysis would turn on evidence developed through the official investigation rather than on early assumptions.
What Families and the Community Can Do
Families affected by a fatal crash like this face both grief and a set of legal deadlines they may not be thinking about in the moment. It helps to obtain the official incident and investigative reports as they become available, to preserve any records or documentation connected to those who were lost, and to be aware that California generally imposes a two-year deadline for personal injury and wrongful death claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, with shorter deadlines if a public entity is involved. Because aviation cases and claims tied to public agencies can be legally complex, speaking with an attorney early can help protect a family's rights while the investigation proceeds.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Chatsworth Personal Injury Lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. KCRA 3 – What we know about the NBC LA helicopter crash in Chatsworth that killed crew and pedestrian
