Kobe Bryant and 3 others killed in Helicopter Crash.

TushHog, thanks for the insight. I started thinking about this after reading about Prince’s family still squabbling over his estate and no will. Totally different scenario but the families of guys like Prince and Kobe have huge future earnings at stake. Obviously there’s no guarantee that any policy or litigation could replace future earnings of this magnitude but it is interesting to see how the liability will play out.

Pilot not on,y instrument rated, but was a CFI-I,

A lot of "experienced" pilots don't like to attend recurrent training, which is required in this type of RW at least every 12 months, because they think they know everything. Not saying this is the case here. Also, a lot of these charter companies have contracted pilots to keep costs down. Some also skimp on maintenance etc to save a few bucks. Again, not saying this is the case here but this one might get hairy. It's going to be interesting to see if the insurance companies involved will "fight" this.

There is one company that has the primary $25M and another that has the excess $25M. Most policies have named pilots and/or an open pilot clause. I hope this pilot was up to date on training etc. in this make and model RW.

It's looking like pilot error right now, not being able to see and going over 180 mph, from what I read that helicopter was able to fly as slow at 15 mph. Total shame

With limits like that, the pilot almost certainly had to have the helicopter version of Flight Safety EVERY year. Realistically, all the recurrent training requirements are imposed by insurance companies and owners, in that order. Most FS recurrent courses are a week, including 5-8 hours of simulator time.

The pilot error in this case was in his flying, it was in his decision making. Not sure how much updates he,o with that.

Training.

https://resources.flightsafety.com/w...t-Training.pdf

I would hate to think of pilot error causing the crash.
Considering that, I assume, the craft had equipment to tell where he was at, altitude, and proximity sensor.

This guy, who is a pilot, recreated the exact final flight path.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSHpbGhy3Ko



What I don't understand is if it was so foggy that the pilot couldn't see, why they didn't:

1. go to a higher altitude above the fog and wait for the fog to clear,

or

2. while still in the fog, stay at the same altitude and hover hold in place until the fog clears?

Maybe slowing down a bit would have helped. Doing 180+ in the fog after considerable communication with the tower about weather and visibility might be considered a little reckless.

At the end when they were following the freeway from an altitude of 500 feet and then they tried to get above the mountains that can be as high as 2800 feet.

Looks like while gaining altitude, the pilot made a wrong turn and went left into the mountains instead of going right to continue following the freeway at a higher altitude.

The only reason to speed up is to climb. Or that’s my assumption even in a helicopter. Who knows.

I hate to sound like a complete ass but Buddy Holly, Pasty Cline, JFK Junior and countless others all died in small aircraft during bad weather. Now Kobe. You would think the pilots and the FAA would just say no. Nope. We are not flying today and that’s that. Originally Posted by FunMonday

Exactly, Such a Tragedy

No TAWS on the copter. Why on earth do you have a relatively expensive aircraft operating Part 135 in an area with terrain obstructions and not have a $20,000 TAWS??!!

Thank you TexTushHog.

TAWS for those here who don't speak Pilot is

Terrain Avoidance and Warning System

https://skybrary.aero/index.php/Terr...g_System_(TAWS)

Part 135 just means unscheduled on demand air charter service licensing and requirements and regulations

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/air_carri...ions/part_135/