Pilot’s poor decisions blamed in Kobe Bryant chopper crash

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Federal safety officials yesterday blamed the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others on board last year on the pilot’s poor decision to fly into thick clouds, where he became disoriented and plunged the aircraft into a Southern California hillside.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said poor visibility probably led pilot Ara Zobayan to become so disoriented in thick fog north of Los Angeles that he could not perceive up from down. The five board members also said Zobayan, who also died in the crash, ignored his training and violated federal regulations during the 40-minute flight.

The agency announced its findings during a four-hour hearing aimed at pinpointing probable causes of the tragedy – which led to widespread public mourning for the retired basketball star, launched several lawsuits, and prompted state and federal legislation.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and six other passengers were flying from Orange County to a youth basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy in Ventura County, when the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter encountered thick fog in the San Fernando Valley on January 26, 2020. There was no sign of mechanical failure and the crash was believed to be an accident.

Investigators said they believed Zobayan experienced a spatial disorientation known as ‘the leans’, which occurs in the inner ear and causes pilots to believe they are flying aircraft straight and level when they are in fact banking.

The agency criticised Zobayan’s decision to fly into the clouds, saying Federal Aviation Administration standards require that pilots are able to see where they are going under what is called Visual Flight Rules.

SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE

Board members, in a unanimous vote, also cited the self-induced pressure Zobayan likely felt to finish the flight for his star client, whom he flew often, instead of landing at a nearby local airport when the weather became worse than he had expected. Zobayan also failed to file a backup flight plan before departing.

“The closer you get to the destination, the more you think just maybe you can pull this off,” NTSB Vice-Chairman Bruce Landsberg said.

The agency also faulted Island Express Helicopters Inc, which operated the aircraft, for inadequate review and oversight of safety matters.

Just before the crash, Zobayan told flight controllers he was climbing in the helicopter and had nearly broken through the clouds. But NTSB investigators said that the helicopter was, in fact, banking and beginning to descend quickly, investigators said.

The aircraft had climbed sharply and nearly succeeded breaking through the fog and clouds when the helicopter made an abrupt left turn and plunged into grassy, oak-studded hills in the city of Calabasas.

The impact caused a crater and scattered debris over an area the size of a football field. The victims died immediately.