CA - Kobe Bryant, 41, daughter GiGi, 13, & 7 others die in helicopter crash, Calabasas, 26 Jan 2020

Family of pilot who flew Kobe Bryant and his daughter say deaths were their fault in court papers | Daily Mail Online

May 11, 2020

28264906-8308029-image-a-42_1589214378438.jpg


The family of the pilot involved in the fatal helicopter crash that took the life of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna,13, and seven others earlier this year has blamed the passengers for their own deaths.

The family of pilot Ara Zobayan in court papers responding to a wrongful death lawsuit brought against the helicopter company by Bryant's widow Vanessa says that injuries or damages suffered by those on board the fatal January 26 crash, 'were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs.'

That's because the passengers knowingly and voluntarily accepted the risks involved in taking the flight, say the legal documents.
 
Family of pilot who flew Kobe Bryant and his daughter say deaths were their fault in court papers | Daily Mail Online

May 11, 2020

28264906-8308029-image-a-42_1589214378438.jpg


The family of the pilot involved in the fatal helicopter crash that took the life of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna,13, and seven others earlier this year has blamed the passengers for their own deaths.

The family of pilot Ara Zobayan in court papers responding to a wrongful death lawsuit brought against the helicopter company by Bryant's widow Vanessa says that injuries or damages suffered by those on board the fatal January 26 crash, 'were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs.'

That's because the passengers knowingly and voluntarily accepted the risks involved in taking the flight, say the legal documents.

Does one have to sign a release to the pilot before flying waiving the pilots discretion for safe conditions?
 
Kobe Bryant's sports academy retires 'Mamba' nickname | Daily Mail Online

May 12, 2020

The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by the late Kobe Bryant has retired his 'Mamba' nickname and rebranded itself in an effort to honor the Lakers legend's legacy four months after he died in a helicopter crash.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed as they flew to a basketball tournament January 26 at the Mamba Sports Academy when the chopper crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles.

The Thousand Oaks-based facility announced Tuesday it would return to its original name of Sports Academy and retire the 'Mamba' name to the rafters. The academy was founded in 2016; Bryant, who spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the franchise win five NBA championships, joined in 2018.

'Our beliefs and thoughts are Kobe is one of one. "Mamba" is one of one,' Sports Academy CEO Chad Faulkner told The Undefeated. 'And with that as we carry on as The Sports Academy, it's more appropriate to put Kobe in another Hall of Fame, if you will, and to really respect a legacy that is really unrivaled, frankly, and let that live on its own. We will continue to do the work we do.'
 
Does one have to sign a release to the pilot before flying waiving the pilots discretion for safe conditions?
Normally NO. And in cases like Kobe he was a regular flier in that helicopter , so it was just another day and another flight.

Here is what often happens ..... customer phones to charter a helicopter and then the weather turns stinky so the pilot is the one who makes the final decision and it is always based on safety. We must keep in mind the pilot values his own life too and on that fateful day he expected to have a safe flight by taking an indirect route.

But there are many difficult situation where pilots do not want to fly but sometimes very wealthy owners who own the machine and employ the pilot will insist they go anyway. Lord Haughey owned a multi-million dollar machine which could fly on instruments ..... was inspecting one of his estates ..... pilots waiting outside ..... boss got running late .... fog rolled in ..... something went wrong and they flew into the ground.

Who is to blame ? The wealthy boss or the pilot ? I dont know.

Crash pilots 'impatient to take off'
 
Kobe Bryant's sports academy retires 'Mamba' nickname | Daily Mail Online

May 12, 2020

The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by the late Kobe Bryant has retired his 'Mamba' nickname and rebranded itself in an effort to honor the Lakers legend's legacy four months after he died in a helicopter crash.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed as they flew to a basketball tournament January 26 at the Mamba Sports Academy when the chopper crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles.

The Thousand Oaks-based facility announced Tuesday it would return to its original name of Sports Academy and retire the 'Mamba' name to the rafters. The academy was founded in 2016; Bryant, who spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the franchise win five NBA championships, joined in 2018.

'Our beliefs and thoughts are Kobe is one of one. "Mamba" is one of one,' Sports Academy CEO Chad Faulkner told The Undefeated. 'And with that as we carry on as The Sports Academy, it's more appropriate to put Kobe in another Hall of Fame, if you will, and to really respect a legacy that is really unrivaled, frankly, and let that live on its own. We will continue to do the work we do.'
Lots of words and, I might be slow, but I still don't understand the reason behind this? Why change the name? Didn't he put a bunch of money into that academy? Did the Kobe Estate ask for the name to be dropped or what?
 
It was on the evening news though they refrained from mentioning Kobe having Ritalin in his report. I find it in poor taste that it was published. If it is prescribed who’s business is it if Kobe or any of the passengers were on Ritalin. They weren’t flying the plane.
 

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