Company involved in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash not licensed to fly in bad weather

The company that owned the helicopter that crashed last week in Calabasas, Calif., killing Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others, was not certified to allow its choppers to fly in visibly bad weather, NBC News reported Friday.

Although the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was himself licensed to fly in low-visibility situations, he should have been restricted to fly in inclement weather because of the license status of the company, Island Express Helicopters, on the day the crash occurred. 

On the day of the crash in January, low clouds near the San Fernando Valley in California caused limited visibility, causing the helicopter to crash in Calabasas while en route to Bryant’s sports academy. 

The National Transportation Safety Board, the government agency that is investigating the cause of the crash, has already noted that the helicopter lacked a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), which alerts a pilot when an aircraft gets too close to the ground.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who represents the district where the crash occurred, introduced legislation following the incident that would require the Federal Aviation Association to mandate helicopters to install TAWS.

After the tragedy that claimed the life of #KobeByrant, his daughter Gianna and 7 others, I am introducing a bill to require the FAA to strengthen safety standards for helicopters and require the use of Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems to save lives. https://t.co/c3ZK2FOIGh

— Rep. Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) January 30, 2020

The newest revelation about the crash comes following Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant’s, first remarks on the tragic event. 

“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them. We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri,” she wrote on Instagram.