# NTSB WPR26FA345: Eurocopter AS 350 B2, N358TV, Chatsworth, CA, September 16, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report - Date: September 15, 2026, 18:55 local (Sep 16, 2026, 01:55 UTC) - Place: Chatsworth, CA · industrial warehouse area - Coordinates: 34.237124, -118.58188 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2371&lon=-118.5819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Intermountain Turbine Services, Airbus Helicopters - NTSB case key (mKey): 203829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26FA345 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203829/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA345 ## Preliminary report On September 15, 2026, about 1855 Pacific daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) AS-350 B2 helicopter, N358TV, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chatsworth, California. The pilot, passenger and one person on the ground sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 electronic news gathering flight. According to the operator, the pilot and passenger/news reporter departed Whiteman Airport (WHP) Los Angeles, California, and flew to Chatsworth, California, to gather video footage of a recent fatal traffic accident. ADS-B data showed that the helicopter departed WHP about 1724, proceeded west about nine miles, at an average altitude of about 1,600 ft mean sea level (msl). The helicopter maneuvered in the vicinity of the traffic accident for about one hour and twenty-four minutes. During the last minute of the flight, the helicopter was about 1,700 ft msl or about 800 ft above ground level (agl) and decelerated to about 6 knots ground speed. A four-minute, twenty-one-second-long video recording of the traffic accident was taken by the onboard news reporter. The recording also captured ambient helicopter noise that included sounds from both the main rotor and engine. During most of the recording, the ambient helicopter noise remained consistent with normal operations. During the last twenty-nine seconds of the flight, the recording captured the helicopter noise as it changed frequency, along with intermittent and continuous horns, consistent with the helicopter’s main rotor high rpm, low rotor rpm and other aural advisories. About 1855, ADS-B data showed that the helicopter began a rapid descent while turning right. The last ADS-B data point captured the helicopter at a high rate of descent, about 38 knots groundspeed directly above the accident site. Multiple security video cameras from nearby buildings recorded the helicopter as it descended at a high rate and impacted a metal storage container. A postaccident fire quickly ensued. Postaccident field examination revealed the helicopter came to rest partially on its right side abeam the metal container. A debris field extended about 30 ft around the main wreckage. All major components remained attached to the fuselage or remained within the small debris area. The fuselage, in its entirety, was mostly reduced to ash and thermally damaged metal. The tailboom separated but remained next to the fuselage. Both main and tail rotor assemblies remained attached at their respective mounting assemblies. The helicopter was relocated to a secure facility for further examination. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N358TV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N358TV), registered now, S/N 3788, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (registry code 8680950) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-series) (registry code 60031, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3788 - Year built: 2004 - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Angel City Air - Registered owner: Tiny Bubbles Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WHP, Pacoima, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: KWHP, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KWHP 160155Z 00000KT 10SM SKC 23/15 A2991 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260915013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260915013159A), Sep 15, 2026: Eurocopter AS350B2, Chatsworth, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. At 1855 aircraft [privacy data omitted], a local news helicopter, was covering a local traffic accident when it encountered a yet to be determined loss of… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.