LOS ANGELES -- In the years before the helicopter crash that killed the basketball legend Kobe Bryant and eight other people, the company operating the aircraft, Island Express Helicopters, had a series of disputes over its safety practices, according to federal accident reports and a former federal
LOS ANGELES — In the years before the helicopter crash that killed the basketball legend Kobe Bryant and eight other people, the company operating the aircraft, Island Express Helicopters, had a series of disputes over its safety practices, according to federal accident reports and a former federal safety inspector.
Before the tragedy involving Bryant, Island Express had four crashes since 1985 that damaged or destroyed helicopters, all under the company’s previous management, according to records. Story continuesIt is not known what caused last month’s crash. Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board said they are looking at a range of potential issues, ranging from weather to mechanical problems. A key question is whether the Island Express pilot attempted to fly into thickening clouds and fog; NTSB investigators have asked for the public’s help in gathering photographs of weather conditions near the scene of the crash.
Discussions over flying in bad weather came up with all helicopter companies, Lackey said. Though federal regulations allow helicopter flights in relatively low visibility, given their ability to fly very slowly when necessary, Lackey said he urged charter operators to consider the risks of doing so and advised them in such cases to land the aircraft and wait for the weather to clear.
In a statement, the FAA said it could not comment on an individual case, but that it was not uncommon to periodically rotate inspectors to new assignments. “All aviation safety inspectors are qualified to perform the oversight work they are assigned,” the statement said. Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB and FAA accident investigator, said that “a personality clash between an operator and an inspector” is not uncommon.
He later left the company altogether to take a pilot position with a competitor and now flies air ambulances in Arizona.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vanessa Bryant Announces Kobe Bryant Memorial Date and Time at StaplesVanessa Bryant confirmed the upcoming Kobe and Gianna Bryant memorial on Instagram with a touching post. 💜💛
Read more »
Vanessa Bryant remembers 'best friend' Kobe Bryant on InstagramVanessa Bryant remembered her husband, Kobe Bryant, posting a photo of the NBA legend in which she describes him as her best friend, also writing, 'Miss you so much.'
Read more »
Kobe Bryant Crash Investigation Shows No Evidence of Engine FailureThe NTSB says an initial investigation into the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash shows no outward evidence of engine failure.
Read more »
Kobe Bryant crash: NTSB reports says no evidence of catastrophic engine failureThe National Transportation Safety Board, which is looking into the January 26 helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight other people in Southern California, announced Friday there was no evidence of catastrophic engine failure.
Read more »
Kobe Bryant memorial service details announced following fatal crash that killed 9A public memorial service for Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, will be held on the morning of Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Read more »
Memorial service for Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna and other crash victims to be held Feb. 24A public memorial service for Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and 7 other people killed in a helicopter crash is scheduled for Feb. 24, multiple law enforcement sources say.
Read more »