KNBC reporter Eliana Moreno dies in helicopter crash
The Los Angeles news anchor was killed when the station's news helicopter went down; colleagues and viewers mourn a respected professional.
What to know
- KNBC helicopter reporter Eliana Moreno died in a crash, remembered by colleagues as a seasoned live reporter and by viewers as a trusted nightly presence in LA homes.
- The tragedy struck the close-knit Los Angeles journalism community; staff at competing stations and newsrooms mourned publicly, and NBC anchors were observed processing the loss while reporting the story on air.
- Helicopter safety concerns surfaced in comments, with viewers raising questions about the inherent risks of news gathering by air and noting this was not KNBC's first such loss.
- People close to Moreno highlighted that she was newly married, adding to the personal impact of the loss on her family and fiancé.
The dispute One commenter speculated the crash involved mechanical failure and a bus collision, while others focused on the tragedy itself rather than its cause. · positions read across 26 posts and comments
Moreno was a beloved and respected professional whose loss is deeply felt by the LA journalism community and its audience.
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“She was a pro's pro, a first-rate live reporter who was literally on top of breaking news and always made it seem effortless.”
Josh Mankiewicz · Bluesky ↗
Helicopter crashes are inherently dangerous; the risks of using helicopters for news gathering should be reconsidered.
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“I don't think I would ever get in a helicopter unless I was being evacuated. They are so dangerous!”
antifa4ever.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Eliana Moreno KNBC reporter and anchorJosh Mankiewicz NBC News correspondent
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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NBC News staff process loss while reporting the tragedy
Viewers noted the emotional toll on NBC News anchors and staff who learned of their colleagues' deaths in real time during evening broadcasts, describing anchors "trying so hard to keep a brave face as their hearts were breaking."
“As we watched from home, we realized that the people we invite into our homes every night were learning of the fate of their coworkers in real time. They were trying so hard to keep a brave face as their hearts were breaking.”
— peggysue71.bsky.social -
This was so horrific & heartbreaking. Our local reporters are usually part of our communities and we come to know them almost in a neighborly way. Deepest condolences to the family & friends of all who lost their lives in this tragedy yesterday💔💔💔
2 more of the top 3 · 14 posts in this stretch
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I only just heard about this tragedy and thought of you & your NBC co workers immediately, Josh. My deepest condolences to Ms. Moreno's family and friends. Yet again, one of our best & dearest, taken far too soon. #RIP & #Love #ElianaMoreno
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It's not the first time KNBC has lost a crew member in a helicopter crash. Gary Powers died in a KNBC helicopter in 1977.
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Viewers and colleagues share grief and personal memories
Comments flooded in from people who knew Moreno or watched her work, with several noting she was newly married, a talented professional, and a beloved figure in the LA journalism community. One viewer described watching KABC's helicopter reporter recognize wreckage from the station and become visibly emotional on air.
“Breaks the heart. Met her once when I worked in LA. A consummate professional and just a delightful person.”
— scubapopeye.bsky.social -
K
He is a human He shouldn't have to "fight back tears" He can cry its ok
2 more of the top 3 · 11 posts in this stretch
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I don’t think I would ever get in a helicopter unless I was being evacuated. They are so dangerous!
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S
Breaks the heart. Met her once when I worked in LA. A consummate professional and just a delightful person.
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Josh Mankiewicz and colleagues pay tribute to Moreno
NBC News correspondent Josh Mankiewicz posted a tribute on Bluesky, describing Moreno as "a pro's pro, a first-rate live reporter" with whom he had corresponded via email. The post sparked a wave of remembrances from viewers and colleagues.
“She was a pro's pro, a first-rate live reporter who was literally on top of breaking news and always made it seem effortless.”
— Josh Mankiewicz -
J
I never met Eliana Moreno in person, but I watched her nightly on KNBC and we emailed back and forth a few times. She was a pro’s pro, a first-rate live reporter who was literally on top of breaking news and always made it seem effortless. Way too soon. RIP
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background
KNBC helicopter carrying Eliana Moreno crashes in Los Angeles area — The news helicopter operated by NBC's Los Angeles affiliate KNBC went down, killing reporter and anchor Eliana Moreno and other crew members. The crash occurred during active news operations.
What people are saying 17 voices from 1 site · best of 26 · verbatim
- What exactly caused the helicopter to crash—was it mechanical failure, pilot error, or external factors?
- How common are helicopter crashes in news operations, and should stations reconsider this practice?
- Sep 16
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This is so sad. My heart hurts for her family and fiancé.
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I’m so sorry that you lost a friend. What a terrible tragedy
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"A HEART FULL OF MEMORIES CAN NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY". FROM MY SONG, 'TAKEN AWAY'. LOVE TO ALL AFFECTED.
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I'm still absorbing that all this happened. To their families and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless.
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We are so sorry for their loss and everyone in the journalism community in the LA and surrounding areas. 💔
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Heartbreaking to watch as it was unfolding on NBC News last night. As we watched from home, we realized that the people we invite into our homes every night were learning of the fate of their coworkers in real time. They were trying so hard to keep a brave face as their hearts were breaking. 😢💔
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Honestly looked like mechanical failure to me. I saw the live broadcast footage, and all of a sudden the helicopter just starts rapidly descending, but in a controlled manner, like the pilot was auto-rotating as they're trained to do. Seemed like something went wrong near the end.
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That's "Eli in the Heli", who passed away in a crash recently, right? 🖤
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May God grant her family the fortitude to bear the loss
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I'm sorry for your loss. She just looks like a sweet soul. May she RIP
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So sad. Tik tok served me the video of her last moments, with hearing her voice as well - without any warning. I’ll be scarred by that for a long time I think.
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She was just newly married... its all so heartbreaking
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was watching KABC & their copter reporter recognized something on the wreckage that identified the station, his voice cracked & it was obvious he was upset as he said ‘we’re a small community’ the station anchor took over, on their late news the anchor said their copter crew had been sent home
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What a terrible tragedy. My sincerest condolences to her fiancé and family.
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May she Rest In Peace and her loved ones know that people loved her.
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Oh no, so young and talented. Helicopter crashes are awful. We lost a close friend a couple of years ago in a helicopter crash. no survivors. 💔
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My heart goes out to you, and all who knew and loved her. Very sad