The NTSB’s concludes that it was pilot error that caused the Kobe Bryant chopper crash. This tragic incident from a year ago caused the life of 9 people. I’ll discuss the details of the report and how it can be prevented in the future.
Below are some of the findings in the report. You can read the full report here
1. None of the following safety issues were identified for the accident flight: (1) pilot qualification deficiencies or impairment due to medical condition, alcohol, other drugs, or fatigue; (2) helicopter malfunction or failure; or (3) pressure on the pilot from Island Express Helicopters Inc., the air charter broker, or the client to complete the flight.
2. Although the air traffic controller’s failure to report the loss of radar contact and radio communication with the accident flight was inconsistent with air traffic control procedures, this deficiency did not contribute to the accident or affect its survivability.
3. Had the pilot completed an updated flight risk analysis form for the accident flight that considered the weather information available at the time the flight departed, the flight would have remained within the company’s low-risk category but would have required the pilot to seek input from the director of operations and to provide an alternative plan.
4. At the time that the pilot took action to initiate a climb, the helicopter had already begun penetrating clouds, and the pilot lost visual reference to the horizon and the ground.
5. The pilot’s poor decision to fly at an excessive airspeed for the weather conditions was inconsistent with his adverse-weather avoidance training and reduced the time available for him to choose an alternative course of action to avoid entering instrument meteorological conditions.
