Kobe Bryant killed in S76 crash
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Den Haag
Good morning britain with Piers Morgan had a chopper pilot that appeared to be a genuine expert who expressed himself extremely well and knew the location. From his analysis it appeared the chopper went into a typical holding pattern considering the deteriorating weather then crashed which led to the conclusions of either the unlikely event of a mechanical failure or loss of spacial awareness.
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From: Wanaka, NZ
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Northeast Area, USA
Tragic and frustrating. RIP.
Besides the weather issues...
Less distracting radio, more independent situational awareness from cockpit technology, and get to someplace safe ASAP!
Besides the weather issues...
Less distracting radio, more independent situational awareness from cockpit technology, and get to someplace safe ASAP!
Last edited by Indelible Spirit; 27th January 2020 at 12:52.
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From: Northeast Area, USA
Joined: May 2002
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From: Wanaka, NZ
I'm still puzzled why a high net worth individual would be stooging around in a 30 year old helicopter instead of ponying up $16M of loose change for a pimped up latest and greatest 139 with 2 guys up the front.
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From: UK
I think probably because to him it was a flash big black helicopter with a smart VIP interior. I doubt he knew much about helicopters themselves; what models are available, avionics etc.
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Den Haag
True, but certainly no guarantee - just look at the recent Bahamas and UK AW139 accidents
Pegase Driver
Joined: May 1997
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From: Europe
Gee, lot of fantasy in speculation from some here , including the daily mail , that obviously do not know how ATC works and what is Special VFR.
Special VFR for a Heli is absolutely normal , you need to stay away from clouds and 1 Mile 1,5km ( less than a NM) visibility . both Burbank and Van Nuys reported 2,5 Miles and 1100ft ,, and on teh ATC tape, pilot reported VMC a couple of times, no stress in voice indicating otherwise. Holding was not due to bad weather but to stay out of Burbank class C airspace because of a few dep/arrivals. Not related to accident at all, Socal ATC advising flight was too low was not related to weather or terrain but too low for flight following on radar and possibly even radio /VHF.
If you want to speculate , how about this one : I would say the usual, commercial pressure for destination , entering deteriorating conditions , lost sight of ground and attempted a 180 to get back , wrong side , was too close to he hill for that.
Addition : [email protected] just saw our post crossed , we are on the same line of thought I see
Special VFR for a Heli is absolutely normal , you need to stay away from clouds and 1 Mile 1,5km ( less than a NM) visibility . both Burbank and Van Nuys reported 2,5 Miles and 1100ft ,, and on teh ATC tape, pilot reported VMC a couple of times, no stress in voice indicating otherwise. Holding was not due to bad weather but to stay out of Burbank class C airspace because of a few dep/arrivals. Not related to accident at all, Socal ATC advising flight was too low was not related to weather or terrain but too low for flight following on radar and possibly even radio /VHF.
If you want to speculate , how about this one : I would say the usual, commercial pressure for destination , entering deteriorating conditions , lost sight of ground and attempted a 180 to get back , wrong side , was too close to he hill for that.
Addition : [email protected] just saw our post crossed , we are on the same line of thought I see
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Canada
just a question regarding the flashy black helicopter, and I am sorry I didn't browse through 6 pages to see if anyone else made note.
what paint scheme was this in? we have all seen the black one adorned with nike etc, and the blue and white we all assumed was the original scheme. it definatly looked like a dated corporate scheme.
I see blue and white in the crash scene video. Was the black a temporary wrap for a promotion??
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From: Tax-land.
Accident like this happen in 139s too, apparently.
Guest
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From: On the Beach
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From: at the edge of the alps
I have not been in business aviation, but colleagues who took that route out of necessity reported that there are charter clients who specifically ask for "a safe pilot" and others who don't because they don't care. I'd suppose if I were a millionaire hiring a pilot I'd ask him to not fly if he has any doubts about safety as I'd value my ass even more than his, but apparently this attitude is not universal. This is in no means directed at Kobe Bryant whom I don't know (not interested in sports) but a more general observation. Maybe continued success breeds a feeling of invincibility.
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Montreal
https://nypost.com/2020/01/27/kobe-b...ed-as-victims/
Pilot and remaining passengers named. Lots of IMC talk, but as others have mentioned that would have gotten you safely from departure airport to some arrival airport with an approach, not the destination - may as well drive. Two pilots, maybe for the crew-discipline to turn around before losing control, but then you'd be pushing it pretty hard, like SAR hard. I too am puzzled at the speed, like the 109 in New York a while back. I also don't know the background of the pilot - if he had flown pipeline/powerline patrol with a Robbie in the mountains it would be helpful background, or fires with an Astar in heavy smoke, or SAR like we saw in the short video of the highway following helicopter in the UK. Turn left in deteriorating conditions at the bottom of a valley when sitting solo right seat in a S76, hmm, and doing it at anything over 60 knots, again, hope for more insight into this. Rich guys die in helicopters, we read about it in this forum all the time.
Pilot and remaining passengers named. Lots of IMC talk, but as others have mentioned that would have gotten you safely from departure airport to some arrival airport with an approach, not the destination - may as well drive. Two pilots, maybe for the crew-discipline to turn around before losing control, but then you'd be pushing it pretty hard, like SAR hard. I too am puzzled at the speed, like the 109 in New York a while back. I also don't know the background of the pilot - if he had flown pipeline/powerline patrol with a Robbie in the mountains it would be helpful background, or fires with an Astar in heavy smoke, or SAR like we saw in the short video of the highway following helicopter in the UK. Turn left in deteriorating conditions at the bottom of a valley when sitting solo right seat in a S76, hmm, and doing it at anything over 60 knots, again, hope for more insight into this. Rich guys die in helicopters, we read about it in this forum all the time.
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From: U.K.