The world was stunned yesterday when news of Kobe Bryant‘s tragic passing surfaced. He was reportedly flying in his helicopter en route to his daughter Gigi’s basketball tournament when the aircraft burst into flames in Calabasas. Nine people died on impact.
Now, more details about the crash have surfaced.
According to new reports, air traffic controllers warned pilot Ara Zobayan of poor visibility due to dense fog in the Van Nuys and Burbank area, and even LAPD’s Air Support Division’s helicopters were grounded at the time, because “The weather situation did not meet our minimum standards for flying.”
Air traffic control audio from the Kobe helicopter. Chopper was in a long hold waiting for other traffic. Pilot requests ‘flight following’ information service with but is informed he's flying too low. ATC then calls the flight without response. https://t.co/z0nlSK4JTg
— Richard Southern (@richard680news) January 26, 2020
After getting warning from the air traffic control about the dangerous conditions and new routes to take, the aircraft started climbing (to escape the layer of fog) then disappeared off the radar and crashed into the hillside.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the site and will issue a preliminary report in about 10 days. They will summarize what they believe happened and what investigators concluded. A ruling can take over a year.
Rest in peace Kobe and Gigi Bryant and everyone aboard the helicopter.
.@CBSLA has identified all 9 people aboard the helicopter that killed Kobe Bryant & Gianna Bryant, 13
-John Altobelli, wife Keri and daughter Alyssa
-Christina Mauser
-Sarah Chester &daughter Payton Chester
-Ara Zobayan, pilothttps://t.co/0W6MXWZ1n1…/kobe-bryant-crash-who-wa…/ pic.twitter.com/idL1uIxLGQ— Trang Do (@TrangDoCBS3) January 27, 2020
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