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

[zecats]

Interesting thing is I was in OC this morning and near the airport they took off out of. It was overcast but not foggy. They must have run into dense fog on their way to Fresno. (that's where they were going right?) But don't they need to give a flight plan and therefore would have had warning of the fog ahead? Am I missing something?

I just asked the same a few posts back. I'd think the weather along the entire trip would be taken into consideration. It almost seems as if it was a surprise running into fog and poor visibility. JMO

They were headed to Mamba Sports Center near Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park).

 

[Snoods]

How horrible. Parents and children out for a nice family day. I HOPE nobody knew their deaths were imminent.

I think at least the pilot knew in the final seconds.

Everyone else probably knew all was not well because of the sudden sharp increase in altitude, then a descent in altitude and loss of air speed. It may have even stalled, a few witnesses said it was sputtering before the crash. It seems like the final few seconds it was flying erratically before crashing into the mountain.

 

[Snoods]

Christina Mauser

Christina Mauser: A Tribute to the Kobe Bryant Crash Victim | Heavy.com

 

[mickey2942]

The "curse" of being uber wealthy. They would probably still be alive if they had taken a commercial flight, or drove.

I noticed the thick fog, when they were doing recovery. Not the best flying weather conditions. My ex husband learned how to fly in Alaska, that is where pilots learn how to fly by instruments, pretty much all of the time. He never piloted a helicopter though.

 

[BeachSky]

View attachment 228150
Christina Mauser

Christina Mauser: A Tribute to the Kobe Bryant Crash Victim | Heavy.com

 

[CocoChanel]

MOD NOTE:

THIS THREAD IS FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT THAT TOOK THE LIVES OF KOBE BRYANT, HIS 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND THE OTHER 7 PEOPLE WHO DIED IN THIS HORRIFIC CRASH. IT IS NOT FOR REFERENCING A CASE FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO CONVICTION YEARS AGO. PLEASE POST ACCORDINGLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO BE RESPECTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF WEBSLEUTHS.

Faithfully,
CocoChanel
Moderator

 

[Snoods]

I just asked the same a few posts back. I'd think the weather along the entire trip would be taken into consideration. It almost seems as if it was a surprise running into fog and poor visibility. JMO

They were headed to Mamba Sports Center near Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park).

We know they circled for about 15 minutes (presumably waiting for the fog to dissipate) but then began following a freeway, all at a low altitude. This may sound dumb, but I wonder why they couldn’t just hover somewhere? Why continue to fly at a high rate of speed with such poor visibility? Maybe trying to make up for time lost while circling?

 

[Trinitee]

1990 I considered naming my baby after him

I have a friend who did!

 

[Snoods]

I was driving in fog once and had to pull over as I got vertigo. It was awful. I imagine that pilots can experience the same thing?

That was the probable cause of JFK jr’s plane crash, spatial
disorientation. He couldn’t tell if he was going up or down.

 

[Snoods]

I was crushed at the loss of Stevie Ray Vaughn in the 80’s. Same thing, weather conditions. They shouldn’t have flown that night.

Kobe Bryant was a spectacular athlete, and a really nice guy. What a beautiful family. I saw a recent interview where he was really excited about his children’s books.

I feel so sad for his wife and daughters, and the Baseball coaches children who are orphaned. All these kids who lost their parents.

There have been some major losses over the years, whole ice hockey teams, one Canadian, one Russian, and the entire US women’s figure skating team in the early 60’s.

Moments like these highlight what’s precious in life.

The Marshall University football team, which similarly crashed into a hill and burst into flames during bad weather and without visual contact.

 

[Sillybilly]

As TMZ has uploaded audio, it can be linked to and discussed. Professional Pilots Association can also be linked to and discussed.

We can't verify the source of VASAviation audio and flight tracking, so please do not link to it or discuss it.

 

[mickey2942]

I just listened to the TMZ audio between the pilot and control tower, control repeated that the helicopter was low. And it is obvious that the pilot was relying on sight navigation.

 

[Sillybilly]

I just listened to the TMZ audio between the pilot and control tower, control repeated that the helicopter was low. And it is obvious that the pilot was relying on sight navigation.

Around 2:45 in the TMZ audio, there is reference to IFR and about 2:50 pretty sure the pilot says "just went to IFR".

 

[Cali123]

I live in OC and there was definitely fog this morning. Nothing overly or unusually heavy though. There’s always smog and fog in So. Cal though, especially LA which is where they were going. “The legendary NBA player and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna had reportedly been on their way to a planned basketball game at the athletic facility in Thousand Oaks when their chopper crashed.”

I grew up with brothers and an athletic family. We always loved going to Lakers games. This is truly tragic for everyone involved in the crash and their families. My hubby is a psychiatrist and will be providing grief counseling at Kobe’s daughters school. So heartbreaking.
#MambaMentality
https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost...ng-tribute-at-kobe-bryants-mamba-academy/amp/

 

[Cali123]

We know they circled for about 15 minutes (presumably waiting for the fog to dissipate) but then began following a freeway, all at a low altitude. This may sound dumb, but I wonder why they couldn’t just hover somewhere? Why continue to fly at a high rate of speed with such poor visibility? Maybe trying to make up for time lost while circling?

They hovered over the LA zoo for a bit and a few others. I’ll add the source site once I find it again.

 

[Seattle1]

Helicopter Sikorsky crashes north of Los Angeles | Extreme Weather

A Sikorsky S-76B Helicopter (N72EX) performing flight from Santa Ana KSNA was transitioning to the west of Van Nuys KVNY along the 101 Freeway in very marginal weather when suddenly crashed in the area of Calabasas. All 9 onboard have reportedly perished - the five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter were passengers of that flight.

 

[jamjim]

This is just heartbreaking. 9 lives, all just gone in an instant. Kobe's youngest daughter is only a few months old

RIP to all involved. Events like this really remind me to try and enjoy every moment of life. You never know when it'll get taken away from you.

 

[Seattle1]

I just listened to the TMZ audio between the pilot and control tower, control repeated that the helicopter was low. And it is obvious that the pilot was relying on sight navigation.

Your interpretation of the tower communication is incorrect.

"Too low for Flight Following" simply means the controller could not pick up a good enough radar signature to provide services. This was not an altitude too low (too close to terrain) advisory from the controller.

 

[Tealgrove]

Very sad and shocking news.

 

[Seattle1]

Flight Tower Audio Reveals Fog Caused Navigation Issues

FLIGHT TOWER AUDIO REVEALS FOG CAUSED NAVIGATION ISSUES