CA - Kobe Bryant, 41, daughter GiGi, 13, & 7 others die in helicopter crash, Calabasas, 26 Jan 2020

[Gardenista]

TMZ update. ETA, I hope this means they were unaware they were about to crash.

Kobe Bryant and Daughter GiGi Die in Helicopter Crash, Foggy Weather a Factor


4:30 PM PT -- L.A. weather was extremely foggy Sunday morning, and law enforcement sources tell us even LAPD air support was grounded because of it. Flight tracker data shows Kobe's chopper appeared to first encounter weather issues as it was above the L.A. Zoo. It circled that area at least 6 times at a very low altitude -- around 875 feet -- perhaps waiting for the fog to clear.

We know the pilot contacted the control tower at Burbank Airport around 9:30 AM PT, and the tower was aware the pilot had been circling for about 15 minutes. The pilot eventually headed north along the 118 freeway before turning to the west, and started following above the 101 freeway around Woodland Hills, CA.

At around 9:40 AM they encounter more weather -- as in seriously heavy fog -- and the chopper turned south. This was critical, because they turned toward a mountainous area. The pilot suddenly and rapidly climbed from about 1200 feet up to 2000 feet.

However, moments later -- around 9:45 AM -- they flew into a mountain at 1700 feet. Flight tracker data shows they were flying at about 161 knots.

 

[MassGuy]

I still think they will say the accident was due to pilot error.

Imo due to the fog the pilot was flying too close to the ground because of poor visibility, and lost lift power due to not having enough air space between the helicopter, and the ground.

That will cause the helicopter to drop. There have been other cases that ended in a hard landing due to the same thing.

Imo, since he was flying way too low to maintain airlift this is what caused him to crash.

Jmho tho and nothing more.

That would make sense. It would be weird to have issues with heavy fog, and encounter mechanical issues at the exact same time.

So you’ve sold me.

 

[Gardenista]

TMZ just uploaded the flight audio, so we can discuss

 

[JerseyGirl]

https://www.latimes.com/entertainme...26/grammys-2020-kobe-bryant-tribute?_amp=true

 

[Gardenista]

Definitions:

VFR
VFR stands for visual flight rules, and the term refers to a set of rules created by the FAA for flight in VMC, or visual meteorological conditions. These are terms that even pilots sometimes use incorrectly. To avoid confusion, it’s best to learn the correct terminology from the start: When referring to VFR or VMC, VFR is the type of flight operation or type of flight plan flown by the pilot, and VMC refers to the type of weather conditions.

IFR
IFR and IMC are similar. IFR stands for instrument flight rules – the set of rules that govern aircraft that fly in IMC, or instrument meteorological conditions. In general terms, instrument flying means flying in the clouds. More specifically, IMC is defined as weather that is “below the minimums prescribed for flight under Visual Flight Rules.”

Difference between VFR and IFR | Phoenix East Aviation

 

[Snoods]

TMZ update. ETA, I hope this means they were unaware they were about to crash.

Kobe Bryant and Daughter GiGi Die in Helicopter Crash, Foggy Weather a Factor


At around 9:40 AM they encounter more weather -- as in seriously heavy fog -- and the chopper turned south. This was critical, because they turned toward a mountainous area. The pilot suddenly and rapidly climbed from about 1200 feet up to 2000 feet.

However, moments later -- around 9:45 AM -- they flew into a mountain at 1700 feet. Flight tracker data shows they were flying at about 161 knots.

(Text in red by me.) RSBM It appears the pilot suddenly saw the mountain and desperately tried to climb over it, but wasn’t able to gain enough altitude.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Thank you, Mass Guy!, but now I'm rethinking my opinion since I've read the link.

I think at first the pilot may have been concentrating more on the terrain below him since it was foggy. Then it seems he recognized he had mountains in his path. It seems in bringing it up to over 2K feet he still knew it hadn't risen them high enough to get them over the mountains.

It seemed like he knew he was flying too low, and that's why he tried to pull up.

I haven't watched the video because it's just too painful, but does it show the helicopter hitting the mountainous area? Or do you just see it falling from the sky after it crashed? TIA

JMHO[/QUOTE]

 

[Gardenista]

(Text in red by me.) It appears the pilot suddenly saw the mountain and desperately tried to climb over it, but wasn’t able to gain enough altitude.

I don't understand how he couldn't have known he was so close to the mountain

 

[drama_farmer]

The video doesn't show images of the helicopter itself. It is a computer-generated visual of the flight path with ATC (air traffic control) engaging with the pilot. IMO. I would rate it "E" for everyone.

 

[Snoods]

I don't understand how he couldn't have known he was so close to the mountain

Maybe the fog? Otherwise I can’t imagine.

 

[BeachSky]

Can't discuss it, but search twitter for Audio of Kobe S-76 helicopter N72EX

Wow. So that’s them, circling around and around.

It must be incredibly stressful to be an air traffic controller.

So when he was turned over to SoCal = no communication
ETA : the female controller mentioned “overcast “

 

[oceanblueeyes]

(Text in red by me.) RSBM It appears the pilot suddenly saw the mountain and desperately tried to climb over it, but wasn’t able to gain enough altitude.

Yes, it sure seems that's what happened.

Imo

 

[MassGuy]

Thank you, Mass Guy!, but now I'm rethinking my opinion since I've read the link.

I think at first the pilot may have been concentrating more on the terrain below him since it was foggy. Then it seems he recognized he had mountains in his path. It seems in bringing it up to over 2K feet he still knew it hadn't risen them high enough to get them over the mountains.

It seemed like he knew he was flying too low, and that's why he tried to pull up.

I haven't watched the video because it's just too painful, but does it show the helicopter hitting the mountainous area? Or do you just see it falling from the sky after it crashed? TIA

JMHO

There’s a fake video circulating, if that’s what you’re talking about.

It appears to have been taken somewhere in the Middle East.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

TMZ update. ETA, I hope this means they were unaware they were about to crash.

Kobe Bryant and Daughter GiGi Die in Helicopter Crash, Foggy Weather a Factor


4:30 PM PT -- L.A. weather was extremely foggy Sunday morning, and law enforcement sources tell us even LAPD air support was grounded because of it. Flight tracker data shows Kobe's chopper appeared to first encounter weather issues as it was above the L.A. Zoo. It circled that area at least 6 times at a very low altitude -- around 875 feet -- perhaps waiting for the fog to clear.

We know the pilot contacted the control tower at Burbank Airport around 9:30 AM PT, and the tower was aware the pilot had been circling for about 15 minutes. The pilot eventually headed north along the 118 freeway before turning to the west, and started following above the 101 freeway around Woodland Hills, CA.

At around 9:40 AM they encounter more weather -- as in seriously heavy fog -- and the chopper turned south. This was critical, because they turned toward a mountainous area. The pilot suddenly and rapidly climbed from about 1200 feet up to 2000 feet.

However, moments later -- around 9:45 AM -- they flew into a mountain at 1700 feet. Flight tracker data shows they were flying at about 161 knots.

From your link:

The Mayor of Costa Mesa, Katrina Foley, just confirmed the identity of one of the other victims in the helicopter crash ... girls basketball coach Christina Mauser, who's married to Tijuana Dogs singer Matt Mauser. Matt also confirmed the news himself.

On Facebook, he wrote ... "My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes they mean so much."

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Maybe the fog? Otherwise I can’t imagine.

The odd thing from what I know this particular helicopter is equipped with all the computer safety measures.

It makes me wonder if he was using them or flying by using visuals only?

Imoo

 

[Trinitee]

Utterly tragic and just so very very sad. Many were lost from this one horrific event.

 

[Snoods]

The odd thing from what I know this particular helicopter is equipped with all the computer safety measures.

It makes me wonder if he was using them or flying by using visuals only?

Imoo

I know, I imagine alarms were going off. I can’t imagine he would be trying to fly by visual only, especially with the bad fog.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I don't understand how he couldn't have known he was so close to the mountain

Agree. That's why I'm wondering if he had the computer panel safety data turned on or was he instead doing everything manually?

Imho

 

[Gardenista]

Agree. That's why I'm wondering if he had the computer panel safety data turned on or was he instead doing everything manually?

Imho

The last I heard, ATC told him to continue visually and he confirmed.

 

[margarita25]

Alicia Keyes and Boys II Men just did a beautiful musical tribute to Kobe on the Grammy’s. They sang “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye”. Alicia K. said some beautiful words. Of course there were many tears in the audience. The singing was beautiful.

ETA: