The helicopter crash that left Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others dead was likely caused by the pilot’s “spatial disorientation”, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said Tuesday.
Bryant, his daughter Gigi and seven others died when the helicopter they were on crashed into a hill in Southern California last year. They were all flying from Orange County to a youth basketball tournament in Ventura County when the helicopter encountered dense fog near Calabasas.
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The pilot, identified as Ara Zobayan, who had ten years of experience in the area, climbed sharply before suddenly banking and sinking into the hill. The NTSB said there was initially no sign of mechanical failure and it appeared to be an accident.
Those who died with Bryant and his daughter were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli; his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser, who helped Bryant coach his daughter’s basketball team; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, as well as the pilot. Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s teammates.
According to an NTSB official, there is likely to be self-pressure on the pilot to complete the trip despite the weather conditions, due to his relationship with the customer. The agency concluded that there was no extra pressure from outside on the pilot to undertake the trip.
“The pilot was proud of these positions with both the client and Island Express. They had a good relationship with the client and probably did not want to disappoint them by not completing the flight. This self-induced pressure can adversely affect the pilot’s decision. and judgment, ‘said the NTSB official.
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The NTSB said while air traffic control asked the pilot to “identify”, which means the pilot has to put his hand to the center of the instrument panel and press a button, but this leads to ‘operational distraction from his primary task of monitor the flying instruments. ‘as he visually lost sight in the clouds.
“The resulting descent and acceleration was conducive for the pilot to experience a somatographic illusion in which he would mistakenly see that the helicopter had climbed when he landed. The helicopter continued this steep descent. The pilot does not refer to the instruments or had problems or to believe them due to the compelling vestibular illusions and he did not successfully repair the helicopter, ‘the NTSB official said during the meeting.
There were 184 fatal plane crashes due to spatial disorientation, the NTSB said. Of the 184, there were 20 helicopters.
The NTSB also determined that the pilot had flown through the clouds in an apparent violation of federal regulations. He is flying under visual flight rules, which means he must be able to see where he is going, the NTSB said.
The helicopter does not require a ‘black box’ recording device.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, blamed the pilot. She and the families of the other victims also blamed the companies that owned and operated the helicopter. The pilot’s brother did not blame the NBA legend, but said he knew the risks of flying.
Island Express Helicopters denies responsibility for the crash, saying it was an act of God he could not control.
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Federal lawmakers have sponsored the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act to set up field awareness and warning systems (TAWS) on all helicopters. The devices cost about $ 35.00 per helicopter and require training and maintenance. However, there is no way to know if the device would prevent the accident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.