Pilot’s poor decisions blamed in deadly Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
- Ara Zobayan flew into clouds, where he became disoriented and plunged into a hillside, killing himself, the basketball star and 7 others
- When it hit the ground, the Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was flying at about 296km/h and descending at a rate of more than 1,219 metres per minute
Federal safety officials on Tuesday blamed the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others on board last year on the pilot’s poor decision to fly into clouds where he became disoriented and plunged into a Southern California hillside.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the crash happened amid thick fog in the hills of the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles. The poor visibility probably led pilot Ara Zobayan to become disoriented and misperceive the angles at which he was descending and banking, the agency said.
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 NTSB’s long-awaited findings come after the Jan. 26, 2020 crash unleashed worldwide grief for the retired basketball star, launched several lawsuits and prompted state and federal legislation about crash site photos and safety devices.
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Basketball legend Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash
The board members also criticised Island Express Helicopters Inc, which operated the aircraft, for inadequate review and oversight of safety issues.