Kobe Bryant Killed in Helicopter Crash

[JaxRed]

Hard to believe. His private chopper


https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-dead-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas/

[Rojo]

Wow.

[The Operator]

Crazy crazy crazy


Had a young baby too from what I read.

[adkindo]

Crazy crazy crazy


Had a young baby too from what I read.

born in June....some reports are claiming 1 or 2 of his daughters were on board.....I am praying that is not true

[JaxRed]

born in June....some reports are claiming 1 or 2 of his daughters were on board.....I am praying that is not true

I've heard the exact opposite. That none of his family were on board.

[adkindo]

I've heard the exact opposite. That none of his family were on board.

I originally heard that also...then I read only his wife has been 100% confirmed to not be on board. Again, I really doubt his youngest was who is only like 7 months old. Several reports are claiming Rick Fox was a passenger.

[adkindo]

https://twitter.com/WPLGLocal10/status/1221525932650844161

[JaxRed]

https://twitter.com/WPLGLocal10/status/1221525932650844161

They've retracted that tweet. That's some channel in Florida. They don't know anything,

[The Operator]

https://twitter.com/WPLGLocal10/status/1221525932650844161

Oh god please let that be a false report

[texasdave]

5 people died in the crash. No names, aside from Kobe's. Wife was not on board.

[Sea Ray]

https://twitter.com/WPLGLocal10/status/1221525932650844161

If 5 people were killed, I doubt his 4 daughters were with him. That wouldn't add up.

The TMZ report said that he was survived by his 4 daughters and wife. Lots of misinformation here

[BuckeyeRed27]

If 5 people were killed, I doubt his 4 daughters were with him. That wouldn't add up.

The TMZ report said that he was survived by his 4 daughters and wife. Lots of misinformation here

Kobe was likely the pilot, so it could be. But man really hoping it’s not right.

[adkindo]

They've retracted that tweet. That's some channel in Florida. They don't know anything,

https://twitter.com/WPLGLocal10/status/1221531515961708544

[JaxRed]

NBA Reporter with blue dot says he has personally talked with Rick Fox since the crash. So he's not on board.

[adkindo]

https://twitter.com/CourtneyFallon_/status/1221531721688068096

Rick Fox not on board as reported.

[BuckeyeRed27]

TMZ reporting his 13 year old daughter was one of the passengers.

[adkindo]

TMZ reporting his 13 year old daughter was one of the passengers.

I hope not....geez, I really hope not. She is the NBA superfan that Kobe gave credit for pulling him back into watching games this year....she was a baller also.

[Sea Ray]

Kobe was likely the pilot, so it could be. But man really hoping it’s not right.

Does Kobe have a pilot's license? This might be a John Denver ending

[BuckeyeRed27]

Does Kobe have a pilot's license? This might be a John Denver ending

He does.

His reps have confirmed his daughter was on board. They were going to her basketball game. Another girl on the team and that girls parents are two other victims.

[reds77]

Sad news. It's never good to see a life end early.

[JaxRed]

Espn Reporter

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn

Reports that is was a pilot, Kobe and his daughter and another parent and child that were going to the practice.

[The Operator]

Awful, awful news

[adkindo]

China and other Asian countries are about to be waking up to this news. Kobe was huge in those markets. I think even many of his fans will be surprised at how big this story is globally.

[HammerTime]

Kobe was my guy growing up. I knew about him when he was in HS and followed him from that. Really devastating.

[Wonderful Monds]

This is the most shocking and out of nowhere thing to happen in the world of sports since.......?

This is crazy, man.

[adkindo]

This is the most shocking and out of nowhere thing to happen in the world of sports since.......?

This is crazy, man.

I will go with Dale Earnhardt passing in a crash @ the Daytona 500? 02/18/2001

[Boston Red]

This is the most shocking and out of nowhere thing to happen in the world of sports since.......?

This is crazy, man.

Jose Fernandez

[Wonderful Monds]

Jose Fernandez

I think it’d have to be that or maybe Aaron Hernandez. But neither of those guys were as high profile as Kobe, the face of a league whose celebrity transcends sports type of guy. I can’t remember someone like that dying so young and so shortly after their playing career ended.

[UKFlounder]

Just awful, sad news

[adkindo]

I think it’d have to be that or maybe Aaron Hernandez. But neither of those guys were as high profile as Kobe, the face of a league whose celebrity transcends sports type of guy. I can’t remember someone like that dying so young and so shortly after their playing career ended.

I do not think either story is a fraction of the size of this story....like I said, I think it goes back to Earnhardt. Even people who were not big Nascar fans (like myself) recall how massive and shocking it was when he passed. He had reached to level of being a mainstream celebrity....and Kobe was that and more. Hernandez and Fernandez were unknown outside their sport, and neither were large stars within their sport.

[texasdave]

There was no 24-hour news cycle back then, but I remember as a kid that the death of Roberto Clemente was a pretty big deal.

[Bob Sheed]

Terrible terrible terrible news.

[Wonderful Monds]

I do not think either story is a fraction of the size of this story....like I said, I think it goes back to Earnhardt. Even people who were not big Nascar fans (like myself) recall how massive and shocking it was when he passed. He had reached to level of being a mainstream celebrity....and Kobe was that and more. Hernandez and Fernandez were unknown outside their sport, and neither were large stars within their sport.

Hernandez was definitely a star in the NFL, but no neither of them were the kind of star that ended up bigger than the league they played in like Kobe. Though that murder case was definitely national news for quite a while after the story broke.

[Ohayou]

It's now being reported that 9 people were on board, not 5.

[The Operator]

There is a video of the crash floating around on the internet. Shot by an onlooker.


Harrowing stuff.

[JaxRed]

The only video I've seen is one from middle east that erupts in big ball of flame. Not the Kobe Crash.

[RedsBaron]

There is a video of the crash floating around on the internet. Shot by an onlooker.


Harrowing stuff.

Wow-yes it is. It's not a graphic, close up video, but it shows a helicopter totally out of control, upside down, spinning wildly. Tragic.

[kaldaniels]

There is going to be a TON of stories about how this breaking news came out/errors made etc...I'm sure we will come back to that later.

But why right now the lead at ESPN says "Sources say Kobe (and daughter - but it was just Kobe before that) died". Aren't we past the "sources" stage?

[JaxRed]

Wow-yes it is. It's not a graphic, close up video, but it shows a helicopter totally out of control, upside down, spinning wildly. Tragic.

Not the Kobe video. There was dense fog at the time of the Kobe crash.

[Bourgeois Zee]

There is going to be a TON of stories about how this breaking news came out/errors made etc...I'm sure we will come back to that later.

But why right now the lead at ESPN says "Sources say Kobe (and daughter - but it was just Kobe before that) died". Aren't we past the "sources" stage?

Typically, news agencies wait until police have confirmed the deaths.

[The Operator]

Not the Kobe video. There was dense fog at the time of the Kobe crash.

I’m sure that’s possible. Wouldn’t be the first time a video got misrepresented.

[Stray]

Couldn't believe it when I saw the news. Hard to imagine a sports giant dying so unexpectedly like this...only one that comes to mind is Dale Earnhardt. Cannot believe they played the games today...shoulda cancelled and let the players and fans grieve.

That his daughter was on the plane with him makes this even more awful. Can't even imagine what that family is going through.

[Stray]

Have read a lot on Kobe tonight. But what sticks out is how he was so close with so many of the veterans, while he was the Jordan so many of the younger players looked up to growing up. All across the board all these guys talk about how supportive he was of their games. He may have been a killer as a player, but he was anything but off the court. This Spencer Dinwiddie take is my fav. You can see how much weight his words carried for these players. Goodness.

https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1221615967291301888

[ScotlandRed]

Not enough being said about the rest of the people in the crash. Think I’ve maybe seen 4/5 people (not just on here) mention them. It’s a tragedy for everyone. It wasn’t just Kobe in there.

[WVRed]

Couldn't believe it when I saw the news. Hard to imagine a sports giant dying so unexpectedly like this...only one that comes to mind is Dale Earnhardt. Cannot believe they played the games today...shoulda cancelled and let the players and fans grieve.

That his daughter was on the plane with him makes this even more awful. Can't even imagine what that family is going through.

I don’t know about canceling games except maybe for the Lakers but they don’t play until Tuesday.

I just wish we didn’t live in the social media era where we get to see said players reaction to Kobe’s death. There was video of LeBron crying coming off a plane when he found out. I’ve seen another of Tim Duncan. Just let the players grieve without a camera in their face.

It’s a tragic loss of life but it’s compounded when children are involved. Kobe lived a short life but accomplished a lot both on and off the court.

[GAC]

There was no 24-hour news cycle back then, but I remember as a kid that the death of Roberto Clemente was a pretty big deal.

And Thurman Munson too.

Just sad news.

I rode in a helicopter once. Didn't like it. Never again. Had a really unstable, unsafe feeling. Certainly different from flying.

Will be interesting to see what the investigation/report says. It seems he was told he was flying too low for radar to pick him up, and he was also navigating with help from controllers because of dense morning fog in a very hilly region.

[JaxRed]

TMZ has some FAA info about him circling around trying to find a place to land. You're in a helicopter...... stay in one place.

[Sea Ray]

Not enough being said about the rest of the people in the crash. Think I’ve maybe seen 4/5 people (not just on here) mention them. It’s a tragedy for everyone. It wasn’t just Kobe in there.

There's a reason for that. They didn't release the names of the others until just a few mins ago. Here's who else were on the copter:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash-victims-identified-john-altobelli-keri-altobelli-alyssa-altobelli-christina-mauser/

Also interesting to note that Kobe was not piloting it. The pilot was one of the ones killed.

Horrible judgment to even try to fly yesterday. Conditions were not safe. Fatal decision

[Chip R]

There's a reason for that. They didn't release the names of the others until just a few mins ago. Here's who else were on the copter:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash-victims-identified-john-altobelli-keri-altobelli-alyssa-altobelli-christina-mauser/

Also interesting to note that Kobe was not piloting it. The pilot was one of the ones killed.

Horrible judgment to even try to fly yesterday. Conditions were not safe. Fatal decision

I've seen some tweets that said the place where the game(s) were at was well within driving distance. That's just gut wrenching.

[Dom Heffner]

Not enough being said about the rest of the people in the crash. Think I’ve maybe seen 4/5 people (not just on here) mention them. It’s a tragedy for everyone. It wasn’t just Kobe in there.

Life lesson: Don't be this guy.

- - - Updated - - -


There's a reason for that. They didn't release the names of the others until just a few mins ago. Here's who else were on the copter:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash-victims-identified-john-altobelli-keri-altobelli-alyssa-altobelli-christina-mauser/

Also interesting to note that Kobe was not piloting it. The pilot was one of the ones killed.

Horrible judgment to even try to fly yesterday. Conditions were not safe. Fatal decision

General aviation is a completely different animal indeed. Conditions not good.

[Todd Gack]

Jose Fernandez

Jose Fernandez isn't even close in terms of impact like Earnhardt. Hernandez was closer but still not as close. Kobe has been retired so I don't think it's as big of a deal as Earnhardt dying on the track.

[Todd Gack]

I've seen some tweets that said the place where the game(s) were at was well within driving distance. That's just gut wrenching.

It'll be interesting to see if this is true as well.

[Sea Ray]

It'll be interesting to see if this is true as well.

In LA it's not about the distance. It's about the traffic. I'm sure Kobe's not used to sitting in traffic

[Todd Gack]

In LA it's not about the distance. It's about the traffic. I'm sure Kobe's not used to sitting in traffic

Even at 9:00am on a Sunday?

[BuckeyeRed27]

Even at 9:00am on a Sunday?

At 9am on a Sunday to go from south Orange County to Thousand Oaks is about 2 hours. It’s like 90 miles.

[jimbo]

I've seen some tweets that said the place where the game(s) were at was well within driving distance. That's just gut wrenching.

From what I've read, helicopter travel has been Kobe's preferred mode of transportation since his playing days. Travel time from his residence is most often in the hours by car, and as a player he felt the time stuck in a car was hard on his body. Probably just got used to the convenience of it, plus he can more than afford it. I totally get it.

[jimbo]

And I just want to say that I've always hated the Lakers, don't even watch any NBA these days, but I always had respect for Kobe as a player. He reminded me so much of Jordan with his desire and motivation. With Kobe, it wasn't about himself, but about winning championships. I also had so much respect for what he was doing with his life and and fortunes after basketball, focusing on youth projects. He will be missed by so many, but I'm sure his work and legacy will live on and accomplish even more after his passing.

RIP #24

[Sea Ray]

From what I've read, helicopter travel has been Kobe's preferred mode of transportation since his playing days. Travel time from his residence is most often in the hours by car, and as a player he felt the time stuck in a car was hard on his body. Probably just got used to the convenience of it, plus he can more than afford it. I totally get it.

I get it too. I'm thinking skipping the game/practice due to weather would have been the best call here. Helicopters aren't the safest thing. Hospitals that use them have struggled with that reality. My thinking has always been: don't do anything that could potentially seriously damage your health 'cause when you lose it, you might never get it back. In this case I particularly feel that way since there were kids involved. From the sounds of it, he was advised not to use the helicopter. This is reminiscent of John John Kennedy and the day his plane went down. He was warned

[goreds2]

In my opinion, ironic stuff concerning Kobe's tragic death:

3 days ago, JJ Redick passes Kobe on career 3's.

The night before the crash, Lebron passes Kobe on the all-time scoring list which was in Philly and where Kobe was raised.

Kobe sends out his last Tweet which was seen on National TV.

Then, the night of his death, the Grammy Awards are at the Staples Center where his career was played at.

[Dom Heffner]

In LA it's not about the distance. It's about the traffic. I'm sure Kobe's not used to sitting in traffic

Ask someone who lives in LA: never tell someone how far, tell them how long a drive.

[Chip R]

From what I've read, helicopter travel has been Kobe's preferred mode of transportation since his playing days. Travel time from his residence is most often in the hours by car, and as a player he felt the time stuck in a car was hard on his body. Probably just got used to the convenience of it, plus he can more than afford it. I totally get it.

Oh, I can't blame him.

[Todd Gack]

Oh, I can't blame him.

Definitely two different lifestyles. A 2-hour drive for a basketball game isn't really that bad. But I guess when you have enough money, you can do things like this. But there are definitely more risks, as we've seen.

[Sea Ray]

The Weather Channel is reporting that this particular 'copter did have a black box so that'll help in the investigation

[jimbo]

Try thinking about how many trips he made in that helicopter over the course of his career and life, probably often times in bad weather. It was just another normal trip for him. Probably still safer than driving in LA traffic for hours a day, even in sketchy weather.

[Sea Ray]

Nope, if the local police grounded their copters, Kobe had no business being up there.

[Todd Gack]

Try thinking about how many trips he made in that helicopter over the course of his career and life, probably often times in bad weather. It was just another normal trip for him. Probably still safer than driving in LA traffic for hours a day, even in sketchy weather.

Maybe? We don't know yet. For all we know, you could be right. You could be wrong. But I would bet on you being right because what 'normal' person is like: "Hey daddy, can we take your copter to practice today?" Very sad all around.

[Sea Ray]

As you all know, I'm a boater, hence my title. If there are small craft warnings, I don't go out. I study the weather thoroughly when going out and that continues while I'm out. Similar caution needs to be used in flying machines. I hope this becomes a learning lesson for others and future lives will be saved.

[Larry Schuler]

I have a family member who is a pilot and they canceled a planned flight due to weather that morning. It was incredibly foggy in parts of LA and surrounding areas.

[RedsBaron]

I get it too. I'm thinking skipping the game/practice due to weather would have been the best call here. Helicopters aren't the safest thing. Hospitals that use them have struggled with that reality. My thinking has always been: don't do anything that could potentially seriously damage your health 'cause when you lose it, you might never get it back. In this case I particularly feel that way since there were kids involved. From the sounds of it, he was advised not to use the helicopter. This is reminiscent of John John Kennedy and the day his plane went down. He was warned

I thought of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s plane crash when this story broke and hearing reports that Kobe was a pilot, with speculation that perhaps Kobe was the helicopter pilot yesterday. If I recall correctly JFK, Jr. had been warned not to fly and he wasn't qualified to fly in the conditions he went into to. However now that we know Kobe wasn't the pilot, it is surprising that a professional pilot ignored warnings and flew even though police helicopters were grounded, a tragic miscalculation.

[dabvu2498]

FWIW, air traffic control at Burbank Airport cleared them for take off. Needless to say, plenty of blame to go around.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/kobe-bryant-crash-pilot-received-clearance-to-fly-in-poor-weather-conditions/2020/01/27/59f8fb1c-4127-11ea-b503-2b077c436617_story.html%3foutputType=amp

[Todd Gack]

I was reading up on some aviation blogs today. Not going to go into many details (quite frankly because I don't understand a lot of the lingo) but it sounds more and more like pilot error or spatial orientation based on flight data we have. The term I heard a lot on these blogs was a case of "get-there-itis" which, if you google it, is a familiar aviation term for people who are simply trying to get some place as fast as they can even when conditions are dangerous.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I was reading up on some aviation blogs today. Not going to go into many details (quite frankly because I don't understand a lot of the lingo) but it sounds more and more like pilot error or spatial orientation based on flight data we have. The term I heard a lot on these blogs was a case of "get-there-itis" which, if you google it, is a familiar aviation term for people who are simply trying to get some place as fast as they can even when conditions are dangerous.

My Dad is a retired pilot and this is exactly what he thinks happens. Basically he got lost in the clouds, didn’t trust what he was seeing and feeling and didn’t look at or trust his instruments and sadly ran into a hill going as fast as possible.

[Todd Gack]

My Dad is a retired pilot and this is exactly what he thinks happens. Basically he got lost in the clouds, didn’t trust what he was seeing and feeling and didn’t look at or trust his instruments and sadly ran into a hill going as fast as possible.

I think they said he missed the first set of mountains by 100 feet before hitting the 2nd side? I didn't realize they circled for 10-12 minutes before being allowed to enter around the Van Nuys airspace? Either way, it seems like there were plenty of red flags abound and they didn't give 2 ***** about being safe.

[adkindo]

Nope, if the local police grounded their copters, Kobe had no business being up there.

local police do not fly Sikorsky's....it is a whole different breed of flying machine. Kobe has had the Sikorsky for several years, and they are not grounded for fog because they are able to fly above it.

https://s30121.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/23899728-7931909-image-a-62_1580067344187.jpg

His previous helicopter was smaller, had skids and would have likely been grounded....which is why he upgraded.

https://i.imgur.com/0KHySf9.jpg

[adkindo]

saw this animation of crash....not sure if close to accurate


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf1hdiEKAcM

[BuckeyeRed27]

I think they said he missed the first set of mountains by 100 feet before hitting the 2nd side? I didn't realize they circled for 10-12 minutes before being allowed to enter around the Van Nuys airspace? Either way, it seems like there were plenty of red flags abound and they didn't give 2 ***** about being safe.

It was an instrument rated helicopter. It wasn’t ideal conditions, but the pilot should have been able to handle it.

[North]

In-depth article about the flight, the LA fog, pilot communications and so forth:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kobe-bryant-helicopter-investigation-1.5442548

[GAC]

Jose Fernandez isn't even close in terms of impact like Earnhardt.

Earnhart made a bigger impact then the rest

(sorry)

Other tragic accidents involving helicopters....

Stevie Ray Vaughn and Davey Allison.

Vic Morrow, and those two child actors, weren't passengers, but what shocked many, IMO at the time, were all the vivid, descriptive reports of what they incurred/suffered. Way too much for me, and it has always stuck with me whenever his name is brought up. Combat was one of my favorite shows growing up.

Read this article years ago by then fellow Combat actor Dick Peabody (Little John) who went on the work radio and interviewed Morrow (early 70's). The article is from '91, but Peabody doesn't hold back on Landis and a young director named Spielberg. He holds nothing back. Read it for yourself ... http://www.jodavidsmeyer.com/combat/personnel/Peabodys_Place-4.html

[WVRed]

As for impact, it’s not sports but it is eerily similar:

Michael Jackson

Both were beloved in California. Both moved a lot of people. Both also had skeletons in their closet (MJs Neverland sleepovers and Kobe’s affair in Colorado) that are taboo to mention.

[Chip R]

Kobe will be inducted into the basketball HOF this year. It was a fait accompli since he was already nominated but this will bypass any election.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/01/27/kobe-bryant-inducted-into-pro-basketball-hall-fame-2020/4588760002/

[Sea Ray]

local police do not fly Sikorsky's....it is a whole different breed of flying machine. Kobe has had the Sikorsky for several years, and they are not grounded for fog because they are able to fly above it.



His previous helicopter was smaller, had skids and would have likely been grounded....which is why he upgraded.



According to this article he chartered this helicopter and did not own it. It also says that there was no black box

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/lakers/2020/01/27/kobe-bryant-dead-latest-details-helicopter-crash/4586347002/

[savafan]

I didn't see any mention on this thread about how TMZ reported this story before his wife was informed of her husband and daughter's passing. I can't imagine finding out about something like this via the media. There should be some form of journalistic integrity, and we need to stop rewarding folks with being first to report something.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I didn't see any mention on this thread about how TMZ reported this story before his wife was informed of her husband and daughter's passing. I can't imagine finding out about something like this via the media. There should be some form of journalistic integrity, and we need to stop rewarding folks with being first to report something.

Is finding out that news from anyone else going to somehow make it better?

[Sea Ray]

I didn't see any mention on this thread about how TMZ reported this story before his wife was informed of her husband and daughter's passing. I can't imagine finding out about something like this via the media. There should be some form of journalistic integrity, and we need to stop rewarding folks with being first to report something.

I don't think most of us knew the timeline here. When was Mrs Kobe informed?

[savafan]

Is finding out that news from anyone else going to somehow make it better?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/business/tmz-kobe.html


Alex Villanueva, the Los Angeles County sheriff, said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon that the authorities had not contacted Mr. Bryant’s family before TMZ published its report.

“It would be extremely disrespectful to understand your loved one has perished and to learn about it from TMZ,” Mr. Villanueva said. “That is just wholly inappropriate.”

[Sea Ray]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/business/tmz-kobe.html

This is the first I've heard of that. Let's hope TMZ apologizes and agrees to not do it again. It all happened in the LA area so I'm sure the TMZ folks and the police know each other. It's not like contacts didn't exist

[Chip R]

I didn't see any mention on this thread about how TMZ reported this story before his wife was informed of her husband and daughter's passing. I can't imagine finding out about something like this via the media. There should be some form of journalistic integrity, and we need to stop rewarding folks with being first to report something.

A larger question is how did TMZ find that out? Did a deputy or a spokesperson from the sheriff's office leak it to them? I would not doubt that there are people in those offices - especially in L.A. - who are on retainer from TMZ in order to let them know if a celebrity is in trouble or injured/dead. Otherwise, how would TMZ have been the first to break the news? Unless they have someone tailing Kobe 24/7 - which is a distinct possibility - they wouldn't know what happened until the sheriff's office released the news. The thing that bothered me more than Vanessa Bryant having to find out from the media is that the initial reports weren't accurate at all except that Kobe was on the copter. First is was Kobe and 4 others. Then it was reported that Rick Fox was on board. Then it was Kobe and his daughters. Then it was Kobe, his daughter and 3 others. Finally it was the Bryants and 7 others. "News" organizations are putting more priority on relying on rumor and innuendo to get the story out before anyone else does. I'm not sure how that can be regulated but perhaps some enterprising attorney can help Vanessa Bryant take legal action against TMZ and whomever leaked the story to them. Something like reckless endangerment due to false reporting. A big lawsuit with big damages would be the only thing that would give a "news" organization pause about breaking stories like this when all the fact aren't there and the family hasn't been notified.

[BuckeyeRed27]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/business/tmz-kobe.html

Right my point is, was the LAPD telling her somehow going to make this news more palatable than if she found out on Twitter? I guess maybe the moments of confirmation would be different, but there isn’t some good way to find out your husband and daughter are dead.

[Chip R]

Right my point is, was the LAPD telling her somehow going to make this news more palatable than if she found out on Twitter? I guess maybe the moments of confirmation would be different, but there isn’t some good way to find out your husband and daughter are dead.

I don't think it's any more palatable but at least having the authorities letting you know makes it official rather than some tweet from TMZ. The authorities don't usually make a mistake like that.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I don't think it's any more palatable but at least having the authorities letting you know makes it official rather than some tweet from TMZ. The authorities don't usually make a mistake like that.

Unfortunately when it comes to this stuff neither does TMZ.

I dunno I mean we are talking like an asteroid hitting your world type stuff here.

[Sea Ray]

Unfortunately when it comes to this stuff neither does TMZ.

I dunno I mean we are talking like an asteroid hitting your world type stuff here.

TMZ did not have their facts straight initially. They got Kobe right but that was about it

[jimbo]

Right my point is, was the LAPD telling her somehow going to make this news more palatable than if she found out on Twitter? I guess maybe the moments of confirmation would be different, but there isn’t some good way to find out your husband and daughter are dead.

I was on Twitter when the news first started coming out. Their was a lot of doubt within the first 30 minutes or so, on whether it was true or a cruel hoax. I could imagine how traumatizing that doubt could be if it was my family members, so I think there is a big difference in what you're describing.

[BuckeyeRed27]

TMZ did not have their facts straight initially. They got Kobe right but that was about it

I don’t believe TMZ reported anything else besides Kobe. There was a lot of other speculation, but not from TMZ from what I recall.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I was on Twitter when the news first started coming out. Their was a lot of doubt within the first 30 minutes or so, on whether it was true or a cruel hoax. I could imagine how traumatizing that doubt could be if it was my family members, so I think there is a big difference in what you're describing.

I doubt very much that Vanessa Bryant was furiously scrolling through Twitter like the rest of us. If TMZ knew, people that could tell Vanessa Bryant knew too.

[Chip R]

Unfortunately when it comes to this stuff neither does TMZ.

I dunno I mean we are talking like an asteroid hitting your world type stuff here.

Absolutely. But if you were Rick Fox's family and you heard on Twitter that he was on the helicopter then found out he wasn't. And it wasn't a case of mistaken identity but just some idiot who tweeted a rumor. As we know, people can make up anything these days and some people will take it as gospel. If someone is busted for drugs or DUI or something like that that isn't life or death, then finding out from someplace like TMZ isn't so bad. But when lives are on the line, it's awful to post that stuff before family has been told.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Absolutely. But if you were Rick Fox's family and you heard on Twitter that he was on the helicopter then found out he wasn't. And it wasn't a case of mistaken identity but just some idiot who tweeted a rumor. As we know, people can make up anything these days and some people will take it as gospel. If someone is busted for drugs or DUI or something like that that isn't life or death, then finding out from someplace like TMZ isn't so bad. But when lives are on the line, it's awful to post that stuff before family has been told.

I agree the rampant speculation and misinformation flying around after was bad and a horrible downside of Twitter in particular. But again as far as I recall TMZ didn’t do that and had the Kobe story right. Had the non celebrities been mentioned for some reason, I wouldn’t have liked that.

[Sea Ray]

I don’t believe TMZ reported anything else besides Kobe. There was a lot of other speculation, but not from TMZ from what I recall.

TMZ was reporting 5 people killed for the longest time. Someone reported that his wife was on board. I honestly can't keep straight all the misreporting

[dubc47834]

I think they said he missed the first set of mountains by 100 feet before hitting the 2nd side? I didn't realize they circled for 10-12 minutes before being allowed to enter around the Van Nuys airspace? Either way, it seems like there were plenty of red flags abound and they didn't give 2 ***** about being safe.

1st, once the flight is cleared, the pilot has final say in whether they leave or not, not the passengers. So if anyone was being unsafe it was the pilot. 2nd, from all accounts this pilot was very meticulous and was even an instructor. So, I find this statement kind of wreckless or insensitive. If I had to guess, based off the type of chopper and the cargo he had, he probly thought they would be good.

[dubc47834]

Is finding out that news from anyone else going to somehow make it better?

Doesn't make it any easier or harder to take, but it also doesn't make it any more right in what TMZ did on this one!

[dubc47834]

TMZ was reporting 5 people killed for the longest time. Someone reported that his wife was on board. I honestly can't keep straight all the misreporting

ALL of the media was reporting 5 people killed, until the press conference and they said it was 9. ESPN, CNN, TMZ, Fox News...all of them were reporting 5.

[GAC]

The more and more I read on this tragic story... and it will be months of investigation before we know all the facts/details .... it may boil down to a seasoned, well-experienced pilot possibly making a bad decision to drive in very foggy weather, and involving hilly terrain. It's happened before (Ray Vaughn, Bill Graham).

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28587829/officials-helicopter-carrying-kobe-bryant-recommended-terrain-warning-system


Zobayan, 50, was well-acquainted with the skies over Los Angeles and accustomed to flying Bryant and other celebrities. He spent thousands of hours ferrying passengers through one of the nation's busiest air spaces and training students how to fly a helicopter. Friends and colleagues described him as skilled, cool and collected....

Deetz said he flew with Zobayan a half-dozen times and that Zobayan was familiar with airspace and terrain around Los Angeles and knew "the back doors" -- alternative routes in case of trouble, such as changes in the weather.

Others who knew Zobayan praised him as unflappable and skilled at the controls.


I'm wondering if it wasn't something mechanical, or simple engine stall?


Pilot Ara Zobayan was climbing out of the clouds when the aircraft banked left and began a sudden descent that lasted nearly a minute.

"This is a pretty steep descent at high speed," said Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board. "We know that this was a high-energy impact crash."

The aircraft was intact when it hit the ground, but the impact of the crash spread debris over more than 500 feet.

[Todd Gack]

Why was this dude going so fast with such poor visibility? Someone was in too much of a hurry.

[Sea Ray]

ALL of the media was reporting 5 people killed, until the press conference and they said it was 9. ESPN, CNN, TMZ, Fox News...all of them were reporting 5.

True. What's your point?

- - - Updated - - -


The more and more I read on this tragic story... and it will be months of investigation before we know all the facts/details .... it may boil down to a seasoned, well-experienced pilot possibly making a bad decision to drive in very foggy weather, and involving hilly terrain. It's happened before (Ray Vaughn, Bill Graham).

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28587829/officials-helicopter-carrying-kobe-bryant-recommended-terrain-warning-system




I'm wondering if it wasn't something mechanical, or simple engine stall?

Probably pilot disorientation due to the fog

[Sea Ray]

It shouldn't take months. We should know before that. I don't think toxicology tests are key here

[Boston Red]

The NTSB report will take months. They will essentially take the wreckage and rebuild the helicopter before they issue a report. That won't be a quick process.

[Hillsdale87]

TMZ claims they got permission from Kobe's reps to file the story, and that Vanessa was already aware.

https://nypost.com/2020/01/28/tmz-head-harvey-levin-claims-kobes-people-gave-approval-to-publish-crash-story/

[Sea Ray]

TMZ claims they got permission from Kobe's reps to file the story, and that Vanessa was already aware.

https://nypost.com/2020/01/28/tmz-head-harvey-levin-claims-kobes-people-gave-approval-to-publish-crash-story/

Thanks for the update. Conflicting info there between Harvey's account and law enforcement but it's only fair to hear both sides. As for "the others" on the copter, collateral damage. The news will never sit on a story like that until everyone else is contacted. I think it wasn't until evening that they released the names of everyone else 'cause the families hadn't been contacted yet. Did anyone ask Harvey or anyone else why they reported for so long that there were 5 people on board?

[dubc47834]

True. What's your point?

- - - Updated - - -



Probably pilot disorientation due to the fog

Some were saying it was TMZ's fault for reporting the number being 5, when it was everyone reporting that.

I Think being disoriented due to the fog will be the final determination on this. Watching the so called experts on the new, they are saying that it is quite easy for this to happen.

[dubc47834]

Thanks for the update. Conflicting info there between Harvey's account and law enforcement but it's only fair to hear both sides. As for "the others" on the copter, collateral damage. The news will never sit on a story like that until everyone else is contacted. I think it wasn't until evening that they released the names of everyone else 'cause the families hadn't been contacted yet. Did anyone ask Harvey or anyone else why they reported for so long that there were 5 people on board?

I'm not sure how they heard that it was 5, but nobody in the media knew the number was really 9 until the 5:30 presser. Coming out of that everyone was shocked that it was 9, because EVERYONE was reporting 5. Would be interested to hear how everyone came up with 5. Were they just rolling with the TMZ number, or was there multiple sources that was putting out the 5 number?

[Sea Ray]

I'm not sure how they heard that it was 5, but nobody in the media knew the number was really 9 until the 5:30 presser. Coming out of that everyone was shocked that it was 9, because EVERYONE was reporting 5. Would be interested to hear how everyone came up with 5. Were they just rolling with the TMZ number, or was there multiple sources that was putting out the 5 number?

That's my guess. I'm thinking folks were saying "TMZ is reporting..." So if CNN says that, is CNN reporting it or is it TMZ? I'd say it's TMZ

[Hillsdale87]

Thanks for the update. Conflicting info there between Harvey's account and law enforcement but it's only fair to hear both sides. As for "the others" on the copter, collateral damage. The news will never sit on a story like that until everyone else is contacted. I think it wasn't until evening that they released the names of everyone else 'cause the families hadn't been contacted yet. Did anyone ask Harvey or anyone else why they reported for so long that there were 5 people on board?

Law enforcement said that they hadn't had a chance to tell the family yet, but considering the connections the Bryants had all around LA, I don't think it would be surprising that they would know long before there was an official police notification.

[Chip R]

TMZ claims they got permission from Kobe's reps to file the story, and that Vanessa was already aware.

https://nypost.com/2020/01/28/tmz-head-harvey-levin-claims-kobes-people-gave-approval-to-publish-crash-story/

Just as I suspected, the cops gave TMZ a heads up on the story.

[goreds2]

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