NTSB preliminary report on Chatsworth NBC news helicopter crash: rotor warnings, no cause yet
The NTSB's preliminary report on the 15 September NBC Los Angeles helicopter crash in Chatsworth, which killed three people, describes rotor-speed warning sounds before the fall but gives no cause.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 1The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on Tuesday 6 October on the September news helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. New York PostR “The National Transportation and Safety Board released its preliminary findings Tuesday in the Chatsworth news helicopter crash.” Read at New York Post ↗ Mixed · 2The crash killed three people: pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and a person on the ground identified as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia. BNO NewsN “A person killed on the ground was identified as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia.” Read at BNO News ↗ New York PostR “The September NBC LA helicopter crash killed a news reporter, the aircraft’s pilot, and a bystander.” Read at New York Post ↗ Centre · 1The Airbus AS350B2, operated by Angel City Air, crashed at about 6:55 p.m. on 15 September while gathering footage of a collision between an SUV and a bus; it had left Whiteman Airport at about 5:24 p.m. and spent roughly an hour and 24 minutes near the scene. BNO NewsN “The Airbus AS350B2, operated by Angel City Air, crashed at about 6:55 p.m. on September 15 in Chatsworth”“The helicopter departed Whiteman Airport at about 5:24 p.m. and spent approximately an hour and 24 minutes maneuvering near the traffic crash” Read at BNO News ↗
Centre · 1In its final minute the helicopter was about 800 feet up and slowed to a ground speed of six knots. BNO NewsN “During its final minute, the helicopter was about 800 feet above the ground and slowed to a ground speed of six knots” Read at BNO News ↗ Centre · 1A 4-minute-21-second recording by the onboard reporter captured engine and main-rotor noise consistent with normal operation for most of its length; in the final 29 seconds the frequency changed and horns sounded that the NTSB said were consistent with high main-rotor speed and low rotor speed warnings and other audible advisories. BNO NewsN “During the final 29 seconds, the noise changed frequency and intermittent and continuous horns sounded.” Read at BNO News ↗ Centre · 1Tracking data then showed a rapid descent while turning right, with a final ground speed of 38 knots over the crash site; security cameras recorded the helicopter striking a metal storage container, and a fire followed. BNO NewsN “Security cameras on nearby buildings recorded the helicopter descending rapidly and striking a metal storage container. A fire broke out shortly afterward.” Read at BNO News ↗
Centre · 1The wreckage lay partly on its right side with debris within about 30 feet, and all major components remained attached to the fuselage or in that debris field; one person on the ground had minor injuries. BNO NewsN “All major components remained attached to the fuselage or within that small debris field.”“The preliminary report also lists one person on the ground with minor injuries.” Read at BNO News ↗ Right · 1The NTSB did not reach a definitive conclusion on the cause; the New York Post said live video from the helicopter was valuable evidence that investigators cited throughout. New York PostR “NTSB investigators did not make a definitive conclusion as to the cause of the crash in the report”“Live video from the helicopter provided valuable evidence to investigators and they cited it throughout.” Read at New York Post ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Detailed, technical account of the report's findings, led by the rotor warning tones.
- Emphasis
- Audio recording, flight track, wreckage, times and speeds.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the live video evidence or the community's mourning.
- For example
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“The NTSB said these were consistent with warnings for high main-rotor speed, low rotor speed and other audible advisories.” — BNO News
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Short news item stressing the human toll and the local news community's grief, with little technical detail.
- Emphasis
- Victims, community shock, live video as evidence.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Rotor warning sounds, timings, flight data and wreckage details reported by BNO.
- Charged language
- “horror”
- For example
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“It shocked the local news community, who mourned longtime air news crew Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw.” — New York Post
What every side reports
- The NTSB released a preliminary report on the September Chatsworth NBC LA helicopter crash.
- Three people died: the pilot, a reporter and a person on the ground.
- The NTSB has not determined the cause.
National Transportation Safety Board organisation
Its preliminary report describes the sequence of events and the recorded warnings but reaches no conclusion on cause.
“The NTSB has not determined the cause of the crash.” — BNO News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Rotor warning tones recorded before fatal NBC Los Angeles helicopter crash – NTSB
Neutral Factual, detailed summary of the report's findings.
Right1 article
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NTSB releases report on horror LA NBC helicopter crash that killed reporter, pilot and tourist
Sympathetic Brief, human-interest report on the release of the findings, noting no cause was determined.
- 6 Oct 21:40 First New York PostR NTSB releases report on horror LA NBC helicopter crash that killed reporter, pilot and tourist
- 7 Oct 02:24 +4h 44m BNO NewsN Rotor warning tones recorded before fatal NBC Los Angeles helicopter crash – NTSB
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.