Chilling Video Captures Final Livestream by NBC Reporter Eliana Moreno Before Deadly Helicopter Crash in LA that Killed Her and Pilot [WATCH]

A livestream from the NBC news helicopter that crashed and erupted in flames in Los Angeles captured its final moments, showing the chopper shaking violently before plunging from the sky. The crash killed both NBC staffers aboard the helicopter as well as a person on the ground.

A warning horn suggesting that the helicopter was entering a stall sounded as the chopper’s engine began to slow, moments before Tuesday’s crash, disturbing video that has surfaced online shows. “Uh, oh,” veteran NBC4 Los Angeles aerial reporter Eliana Moreno exclaimed after the warning alarm went off. The helicopter’s low rotor RPM warning sounded for several seconds before the aircraft began losing altitude.

Finals Moments Before Tragedy

“Pull,” Moreno said in a panic. “You can’t pull up?” The livestream then showed the helicopter shaking violently as the warning siren sounded again. Moments later, the feed went dead, apparently as the aircraft crashed near warehouses in Chatsworth at around 7 p.m.

Witnesses at the scene said the helicopter’s sudden loss of altitude appeared unusual.

“I saw the helicopter – something didn’t look right,” Zareh Sevanesian told NBC News. “And I told my wife, ‘That helicopter is not flying right.'”

Marciniw, who had logged more than 14,000 hours of helicopter flight time, and Moreno were killed in the crash. A pedestrian on the ground also died.

The impact triggered a powerful explosion, sending nearby residents scrambling for safety as debris was thrown into the area. The crash also sparked a large fire, with flames spreading to four vehicles nearby.

“It was one of the most violent fires I have ever seen,” Sevanesian said. He also described seeing three people nearby who were “screaming uncontrollably” as they reacted to the devastating scene.

Died Without Even Realizing

Moreno and Marciniw had been in the helicopter covering a deadly Metro bus crash that occurred in the area earlier that evening. Marciniw was a seasoned helicopter pilot. Moreno was an experienced aerial news reporter who was known on Instagram as “Eli in the Heli.”

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 addressed the tragedy in an emotional statement released Tuesday night.

“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

Marciniw was part of NBC Los Angeles’ NewsChopper 4 team, which provides aerial coverage of breaking news, major incidents, and other significant events across Southern California.

A professional profile for flight instructors states that Marciniw has spent more than three decades teaching helicopter flying. The profile lists Whiteman Airport in Southern California as his base and associates him with Pacific Rotorways Helicopter Training.

Marciniw’s aviation career has covered much more than television news assignments. His flight-instructor profile says he worked with both aspiring and experienced helicopter pilots, offering training in either helicopters he operates or aircraft owned by his students.

His background also includes a range of other helicopter-related roles. According to his Facebook profile, his experience spans aerial cinematography, pilot instruction, surveillance operations, ferry flights and helicopter management.

Authorities are still investigating what caused the crash, while veteran helicopter pilot Zoey Tur said the available signs appeared consistent with an engine failure.