That's my thinking at the moment as well, with what has been described, but I'm half a world away...
I suspect that this wouldn't have happened if they were operating IFR unfortunately.
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Some info - gumbyk got it right, single pilot ops "IS" approved for the S-76B, what is not currently known is what avionics was in the aircraft and whether IFR operation was authorized. The S-76D is certificated for single pilot IFR operations.
Bryant didn't own the helicopter, it was owned by Island Express Holdings. Island Express is a 135 helicopter operation that does flights to Catalina Island and charters. Bryant may have been leasing this aircraft and it may have been operating under Part 135. If that was the case, authorized IFR operations would be indicated in the operator's FAA approved operation specifications, providing the aircraft was authorized for single pilot operations.
The NTSB will do their job - personally I believe this pilot (although instrument rated) got into IMC and was attempting to turn around and head back, possibly to KVNY.
I figure she was assassinated -- I don't know the exact reason, but it adds up. It's surprising how easy one can send a car off with a PIT maneuver or some variation.I know the only connection is celebrity but it reminds me of the death of Princess Diana.
Agree - some other stuff that came up on my radar;That's my thinking at the moment as well, with what has been described, but I'm half a world away...
I suspect that this wouldn't have happened if they were operating IFR unfortunately.
It's certified for single-pilot operation when operated VFR as this one was (it had a special VFR clearance). The two pilot requirement is when operating under IFR (unless it's equipped appropriately, which includes a 4-axis autopilot among other things). Adler, I'm guessing that you were operating IFR?
I have a feeling this will turn into an awkward case of celebrity, authority and wealth meets weather and an unfortunate pilot.
Feb 3, 1959I have a feeling this will turn into an awkward case of celebrity, authority and wealth meets weather and an unfortunate pilot.
"If there's a rock n' roll heaven, you know they got a helluva band!"I have a feeling this will turn into an awkward case of celebrity, authority and wealth meets weather and an unfortunate pilot.
Not only rock and roll, add Graham Hill (F1 driver flying unqualified in fog) and Trafford Leigh Mallory, No aircraft would have the temerity to hit a mountain with an air chief marshall and and his wife on board, would it? From wiki my bold.…..... On 16 August 1944, with the Battle of Normandy almost over, Leigh-Mallory was appointed Air Commander-in-Chief of South East Asia Command (SEAC) with the temporary rank of air chief marshal.[21] But before he could take up his post, on 14 November, he and his wife were killed en route to Burma when their Avro York MW126,[1] flown by Squadron Leader Charles Gordon Drake Lancaster (DFC and Bar),[22] crashed in the French Alps, killing all on board.[4] A court of inquiry found that the accident was a consequence of bad weather and might have been avoided if Leigh-Mallory had not insisted that the flight proceed in such poor conditions against the advice of his aircrew.["If there's a rock n' roll heaven, you know they got a helluva band!"
Jim Croce
Otis Redding
Patsy Cline
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Ricky Nelson
Glenn Miller
The Barkays
and on...
and on...
and on...
This does remind me of The Day the Music Died.I have a feeling this will turn into an awkward case of celebrity, authority and wealth meets weather and an unfortunate pilot.
I don't understand, if you're in an aircraft that can fly straight up and you can't see forwards or to the sides, why wouldn't you hover, call for clearance and climb straight up out of the fog to get your bearings?
This does remind me of The Day the Music Died.
Ain't hindsight 20/20...Had he did that he would have violated 91.157 as he had to stay "clear of clouds." Yes, it seems like it would have been better to take a violation than die.
Ain't hindsight 20/20...
I'm fairly confident that heli pilots try to avoid hovering in IMC. Maintaining a hover is hard enough when you've got an external horizon to work from, I can't imagine what it's like without external reference.
In fact, if he were doing a spiral climb, which is a reasonable thing to do in the situation, and got the 'leans' then that is a plausible explanation.Very true - and hover in IMC when you know you have rising terrain to your sides and in front of you.
Having lived in Southern California on and off for 20 years, I know exactly where he crashed, even flown over the area several times. Not a place to be flying at low altitude during this time of the year.
For starters, had he did that he would have possibly violated 91.157 as he had to stay "clear of clouds." Although this aircraft might have been IFR capable, it may have been illegal for it to be operated single pilot IFR. Bad enough to paint yourself into a corner, even worse when you're flying Kobe Bryant. Yes, it seems like it would have been better to take a violation than die. Sadly the decision making process lead to the death of 7 people. According to the unofficial flight tracks, it seemed he did slow down substantially, possibly to assess his situation then increased airspeed and altitude.
I get that it is restricted from single pilot IFR, but couldn't he have have declared IMC?
Absolutely - but had he done that, got vectors back to Van Nuys or on to Camarillo, more than likely he would have been told to call the tower upon landing and I'm sure the FAA would be looking at enforcement/ violation. It's times like this when commercial pilots put their careers ahead of their lives and sometimes and unfortunately ahead of the lives of their passengers.
As a confirmed (and prejudiced) fixed wing pilot who has tried a time or three (unsuccessfully) to learn to hover a helicopter, I can tell you it's difficult, and without immediate visual feedback, nigh impossible. Without nearby visual references you can be slipsliding in any direction and not realize it.I don't understand, if you're in an aircraft that can fly straight up and you can't see forwards or to the sides, why wouldn't you hover, call for clearance and climb straight up out of the fog to get your beari
Look at the flight tracker posted earlier. He slowed down then accelerated while climbing and turning.