An NBC4 news helicopter crashed in Los Angeles while covering a bus crash, killing at least three people. One victim was found on the ground. (PTI video grab)A local NBC News helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Los Angeles on Tuesday, killing at least three people, officials said. The journalists on the chopper are feared dead. However, there is no official confirmation yet.NBC4 Los Angeles anchor Colleen Williams confirmed live that the station’s chopper went down just before 7pm. The broadcast was abruptly cut off moments later. NBC anchors identified the aircraft as NewsChopper 4 and said contact with the crew had been lost before the helicopter went down about 1.6km from the collision site. The NBC anchors did not say how many people had been on board the network’s helicopter.“We’ve been telling you that we’ve been piecing it together here. We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received the confirmation that, in fact, NewsChopper 4 went down just before 7 o’clock tonight in Chatsworth,” NBC anchor Colleen Williams said.The helicopter crashed near a storage building in Chatsworth as the crew covered an SUV and city bus crash that killed at least two people and injured six others, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.VIDEO | Los Angeles, US: A local NBC news helicopter crashed and burst into flames, killing at least three people while reporters were covering the nearby crash of an SUV and a city bus.#LosAngeles #NBC #HelicopterCrash(Source: AFP/PTI)(Only for use in India) pic.twitter.com/1j7TS8BF2T— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 16, 2026At least one helicopter crash victim was on ground, say LA officialsAt least one person killed in the helicopter crash was outside in a parking lot next to a commercial building, Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Branden Silverman said. It remained unclear whether the other two victims were on the ground or inside the helicopter.One person was taken to hospital, though their condition was not known. Capt. Branden Silverman, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department said the helicopter was “pretty well destroyed” and officials were searching the rubble to determine how many victims were on board.At least four cars and two storage containers also caught fire after the helicopter crashed. The fire was quickly extinguished, officials said.More than 50 firefighters respond to Los Angeles helicopter crashMore than 50 firefighters responded to the helicopter crash, according to the fire department. California Governor Gavin Newsom thanked emergency crews responding to both crashes and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Los AngelesNBC