Deadly crash and the perilous history of LA's news helicopters: 'the eye in the sky'

The crash of a Los Angeles news helicopter on Tuesday killed journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, and also killed one person on the ground after the helicopter went down while covering a collision between a SUV and a city bus. The incident has revived scrutiny of the high-risk history of helicopter journalism in California, where aerial feeds have shaped local TV for decades. The story traces roots to KTLA’s 1958 “Telecopter,” devised by engineer John Silva to deliver live airborne coverage. Later, the Los Angeles News Service’s Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard became known for capturing major events, including the LA riots and OJ Simpson’s Bronco chase. The article underscores how helicopters became the “eye in the sky,” including for breaking news in West Coast cities.