Kobe Bryant's Pilot's Pre-Flight Texts Showcase Concern For Fog


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Ara Zobayan and the flight coordinator spoke at length about the weather conditions of the day.

Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26th of this year. The helicopter was on its way to a youth basketball game although the weather conditions that day were incredibly foggy and it was near impossible to see anything in front of you. In fact, according to CNN, it is being reported that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was extremely disoriented by the fog and that’s what ultimately caused the crash.

In the aftermath, an investigation has revealed text messages between Zobayan and the flight coordinator. As CNN states, a group chat was made before each flight and due to the weather, the flight coordinator asked Zobayan about how things were going. “Just checked not the best day tomorrow but not as bad as it is today,” Zobayan told the coordinator.

Kobe Bryant

Elsa/Getty Images

The following day, Zobayan texted the coordinator saying “Morning weather looking okay.” From there, Zobayan was asked whether or not things were good to go at 9 AM. That’s when he replied “Should be OK,” to which the coordinator said, “I agree.” Just hours later, the helicopter crashed, killing everyone on board.

As of right now, the families of the victims are suing the helicopter company for wrongful death. This lawsuit could cost the company millions of dollars and could even lead to bankruptcy. 

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

[Via]


Ara Zobayan and the flight coordinator spoke at length about the weather conditions of the day.

Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26th of this year. The helicopter was on its way to a youth basketball game although the weather conditions that day were incredibly foggy and it was near impossible to see anything in front of you. In fact, according to CNN, it is being reported that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was extremely disoriented by the fog and that’s what ultimately caused the crash.

In the aftermath, an investigation has revealed text messages between Zobayan and the flight coordinator. As CNN states, a group chat was made before each flight and due to the weather, the flight coordinator asked Zobayan about how things were going. “Just checked not the best day tomorrow but not as bad as it is today,” Zobayan told the coordinator.

Kobe Bryant

Elsa/Getty Images

The following day, Zobayan texted the coordinator saying “Morning weather looking okay.” From there, Zobayan was asked whether or not things were good to go at 9 AM. That’s when he replied “Should be OK,” to which the coordinator said, “I agree.” Just hours later, the helicopter crashed, killing everyone on board.

As of right now, the families of the victims are suing the helicopter company for wrongful death. This lawsuit could cost the company millions of dollars and could even lead to bankruptcy. 

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

[Via]