A year after the crash that rocked the world of sports (and the world at large), the results of the investigation came: The National Road Safety Council published its conclusions today (Tuesday), stating that the helicopter pilot, USA Zubayan, is to blame for the deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Jiana and seven other passengers. And crew members, who crashed with the helicopter in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020.
According to the conclusions published by the chairman of the council, Robert Somwalt, that Zubayan’s vision conditions during the flight were good, meaning he was supposed to see where he was going; and that he landed the plane too sharply, which caused all the passengers to crash and die. Thus, according to the committee.
Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, blamed the pilot in the incident, as well as the airline that operated the helicopter. On the other hand, the brother of the late Zubian (who was also killed on the flight) claimed that Bryant himself knew the risk of boarding the flight, and that his family was not entitled to compensation. The company that operated the helicopter, Island Express, denied responsibility and claimed the crash was a “force majeure” and was not under its control.
KOBE BRYANT CRASH UPDATE: NTSB investigators said pilot Ara Zobayan experienced spatial disorientation in the clouds and that he violated multiple flight rules in the final moments before crashing into a hillside in Calabasas. https://t.co/SVd9hwPxFZ pic.twitter.com/vpAGgpU5F2
– FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) February 9, 2021