Kobe Bryant Case Closed as NTSB Finally Determines Cause of Crash
Not long after the one year anniversary of the death of Kobe Bryant, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has completed its investigation of the incident that caused the untimely passing of the NBA legend.
In a report, we learn that the NTSB has deemed that the pilot was responsible for the crash that took his own life along with the lives of Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and six others.
The report says that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, experienced spatial disorientation when the helicopter was piloted high enough to lose sight of the ground below. In such a situation, the pilot could literally lose the concept of what’s up or down, says the NTSB.
The report says “[Zobayan] was flying under visual flight rules, VFR, which legally prohibited him from penetrating clouds,” Sumwalt said. “However, as we’ve seen in so many accidents, this pilot continued his VFR flight into clouds.”
The investigation said that the helicopter had climbed some 2,000 feet above sea level, about 1,300 feet above ground level while in communication with air traffic controllers before the crash. This makes it “Highly unlikely” that he was able to see the ground, says the NTSB.
The pilot relayed to the controller that he had intentions of climbing to 4,000 feet but ended up in a tightening left turn while descending rapidly.
Officials did claim that perhaps Zobayan might have pushed himself to fly even though the weather conditions weren’t the greatest, out of “self-induced pressure” because of his friendship with Bryant. The two were said to have been very close. Bryant was said to have even allowed his children to fly with the pilot without Kobe’s presence.
A myriad of lawsuits stemmed from the incident. Vanessa Bryant attempted to sue the helicopter company, saying that they didn’t properly train the pilot and also claimed that Zobayan’s actions on the day of the crash were both careless and negligent.
Conversely, Zobayan’s brother claimed that Bryant knew the risks associated with flying in a helicopter and that the Zobayan family shouldn’t be required to pay damages.
Island Helicopters would call the instance an “Act of God,” also denying responsibility. The company would go on to sue the FAA air traffic controllers due to what they called a “series of erroneous acts and/or omissions.”
Lastly, new legislation has also been put in place because of the photos of the crash site that appear to have been shared by LA County Sherriff’s deputies, disallowing such actions in the future.
This does appear to be a case that will have some ongoing details. However, with the NTSB closing its case in regards to the physical accident, perhaps, this is one step closer to the closure that friends, family, and fans are all searching for.
