CHATSWORTH, Calif. — A Federal Aviation Administration directive involving certain Airbus AS350 helicopters took effect September 10—five days before NewsChopper4 crashed while covering a deadly Metro bus collision for KNBC-TV and KVEA-TV.

The directive concerns engine flanges that may have been installed backward. According to the FAA, an incorrectly installed flange could interrupt power transmission between the engine, gearbox and rotor.

The aircraft that crashed was an Airbus AS350, but no public evidence has established that this specific helicopter contained an affected part, fell within the directive’s serial-number range or had not received the required inspection. The directive is a relevant maintenance question—not proof of what caused the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating

Aerial journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw died in the crash, along with Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was on the ground. Another pedestrian was hospitalized.

The National Transportation Safety Board has not determined the cause. Investigators are reviewing the helicopter’s live video and audio, physical evidence, maintenance records and other operational information. A preliminary report is expected next month, but a final probable-cause determination may take considerably longer.

The FAA directive did not immediately ground every AS350. It established compliance requirements that could extend to 165 flight hours or a longer calendar deadline, depending on the affected configuration.

The questions that now require documented answers

Radio News Now has identified three immediate questions for operator Angel City Air and the investigators:

  • Did the aircraft or engine serial number fall within the directive?
  • Had the engine flange been inspected, and what did the maintenance record show?
  • How many flight hours had the helicopter accumulated after September 10?

Those questions can be answered from records. Until they are, claims connecting the directive to the crash would be speculation.

The larger newsroom-safety issue

The tragedy also renews a broader discussion about when a newsroom should launch a helicopter, how contractors are supervised and whether drones, pooled aircraft, traffic cameras and ground-based reporting can reduce exposure without sacrificing essential public information.

Sources: The Desk’s reporting on the FAA directive and NBC Los Angeles’ confirmed crash coverage.