A helicopter crashed between two commercial buildings in Chatsworth, burst into flames, and left at least one person dead near an earlier fatal bus wreck, according to officials and local reports.
Story Highlights
- Los Angeles Fire Department logged a helicopter crash at 6:57 p.m. at 9151 N. Mason Avenue.
- Firefighters attacked the blaze and began medical triage on scene.
- At least one person died; early reports indicate the victim was on the ground.
- The crash happened near an earlier deadly bus collision in the same area.
Confirmed Incident Details From First Responders
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported an aircraft down at 6:57 p.m. Tuesday at 9151 North Mason Avenue in Chatsworth. The first unit said an unknown type of helicopter went down between two commercial buildings. Fire exposed four parked vehicles as crews moved into offensive mode to fight flames and assess patients for triage. Officials did not release the helicopter’s make, operator, or tail number in the first alert.
Reporters at local outlets described heavy smoke and flames rising from the site. Coverage said the helicopter crashed and burst into flames in an industrial area bounded by warehouses and parking lots. The crash location sits near the scene of a serious bus collision that happened the same day. Officials have not linked the two events beyond proximity at this time.
Casualties And Location Context
At least one person died in the crash, according to multiple outlets. Early reporting indicated the victim appeared to be on the ground when the helicopter hit and ignited nearby vehicles. Crews performed triage, but the exact number of injured people was not immediately available. The crash occurred in or near a parking lot by a self-storage facility in Chatsworth, matching the broader warehouse setting described by other reports.
Local coverage placed the wreck near Nordhoff Street and Dearborn Street off Mason Avenue. That is the same area where a Los Angeles Metro bus and a passenger vehicle collided earlier, killing two and injuring others, according to published accounts. Authorities have not said the helicopter was involved with that first incident. Investigators will determine any link in the coming days.
What Investigators Still Need To Establish
Authorities have not stated the cause of the helicopter crash. Officials also have not publicly confirmed how many people were aboard, who the operator was, or the identities of the victims. Those answers typically come from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, police reports, and the medical examiner. Those steps take time and often follow once the fire scene is secure and debris is documented.
Apparently, CBS is reporting that there were three deaths.
"Three people were killed when a Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday night near the scene of a deadly Metro bus crash in Chatsworth."https://t.co/WW8bMjapvb— Nancy Reynolds (@NancyReynolds89) September 16, 2026
Early helicopter incidents often produce firm facts about where and when, while the “why” takes longer to confirm. That pattern fits this case. First responders pinned the location, time, and fire conditions quickly. Newsrooms shared live visuals and witness detail. The technical findings on mechanical issues, pilot actions, weather, or other factors will come through formal reviews. Until then, officials are focused on scene safety and preserving evidence.
Sources:
nypost.com, cnn.com, kesq.com, abc7.com
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