Kobe Bryant killed in a helicopter crash

Tankdiver · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:41 pm

A sikorsky S-76B tail# N72EX has crashed to the east of Calabasas in heavy fog. 5 passengers was killed...one of them Kobe Bryant!

https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bry ... calabasas/

Scarebus34 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:45 pm

Tankdiver wrote:
A sikorsky S-76B tail# N72EX has crashed to the east of Calabasas in heavy fog. 5 passengers was killed...one of them Kobe Bryant!

https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bry ... calabasas/

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/repo ... g/2298383/
https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-h ... s-reported

Here's a few more links for those that will inevitably say TMZ isn't a good source.

airkas1 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:49 pm

Scarebus34 wrote:
Here's a few more links for those that will inevitably say TMZ isn't a good source.

But although they confirm the crash, they don't confirm the occupants. Either way RIP to all on board.

32andBelow · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:50 pm

airkas1 wrote:
Scarebus34 wrote:
Here's a few more links for those that will inevitably say TMZ isn't a good source.

But although they confirm the crash, they don't confirm the occupants. Either way RIP to all on board.

It was his helicopter I believe. Like he owned it.

airkas1 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:51 pm

32andBelow wrote:
It was his helicopter I believe. Like he owned it.

I know, but still doesn't mean he was actually on board. It most likely will be true, just making the point it's not a given that he was on board just because it's his helicopter.

rnav2dlrey · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:53 pm

FWIW, TMZ is spot-on with reporting celebrity deaths first. they became part of the country's pop-culture lexicon when they were the first to report michael jackson's death.

727LOVER · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:53 pm

airkas1 wrote:
32andBelow wrote:
It was his helicopter I believe. Like he owned it.

I know, but still doesn't mean he was actually on board. It most likely will be true, just making the point it's not a given that he was on board just because it's his helicopter.

FOX News---reporting that he was on it (along with NY Post)
CNN---only that a helicopter crashed
MSNBC---impeachment

EDIT...MSNBC just reported on the crash...but not that Kobe was on board

barefootchris · Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:53 pm

N72EX appears to be registered to Island Express Holding Corp (https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N72EX). However, a Google search on the registry does return pictures of him with the craft.

rnav2dlrey · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:04 pm

woj just confirmed it on behalf of ESPN. unbelievable.

DLFREEBIRD · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:05 pm

https://www.abc15.com/sports/small-star ... pter-crash

Vanessa Bryant wasn't aboard nor his four daughters

727LOVER · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:08 pm

rnav2dlrey wrote:
woj just confirmed it on behalf of ESPN. unbelievable.

OK...now CNN & MSNBC are confirming it.

randomdude83 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:11 pm

Oh no

that’s going to hurt a lot. Kobe was an inspiration to many. RIP

AirPacific747 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:12 pm

N72EX? Looks like it could be the heli based on flightaware

B717fan · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:12 pm

ESPN reported that all 4 of his daughters was on board with him.

T4thH · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:16 pm

DLFREEBIRD wrote:
https://www.abc15.com/sports/small-stars/tmz-kobe-bryant-dead-in-helicopter-crash

Vanessa Bryant wasn't aboard nor his four daughters

Just seen as breaking news in German TV.
Rest in Peace.

TTailedTiger · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:18 pm

Was he rated to fly the helicopter himself or did he have a pilot on staff?

crownvic · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:26 pm

I am a bit confused. The helicopter that crashed is white with a two tone blue stripe. The livery is nothing like that of Kobe's N72EX, which is customize with Kobe's logos and is silver and black in color. Was this somebody else's helicopter?

32andBelow · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:28 pm

crownvic wrote:
I am a bit confused. The helicopter that crashed is white with a two tone blue stripe. The livery is nothing like that of Kobe's N72EX, which is customize with Kobe's logos and is silver and black in color. Was this somebody else's helicopter?

Are you sure that was the full time livery or was it just wrapped for that photoshoot

Vladex · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:28 pm

I will never fly a copter without a parachute at least .

Vladex · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:29 pm

I have a great respect for Kobe even though he killed my teams for a while there.

crownvic · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:30 pm

32andBelow wrote:
crownvic wrote:
I am a bit confused. The helicopter that crashed is white with a two tone blue stripe. The livery is nothing like that of Kobe's N72EX, which is customize with Kobe's logos and is silver and black in color. Was this somebody else's helicopter?

Are you sure that was the full time livery or was it just wrapped for that photoshoot

You're right. It must have been a wrap just for the photo shoot. Sorry about that!

Cadet985 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:34 pm

Vladex wrote:
I will never fly a copter without a parachute at least .

Parachutes are useless in helicopters.

Holy crap...41. Damn. I’m not even a basketball fan and this hurts.

Get him in their HoF ASAP.

My most sincere prayers are for his wife and daughters.

Marc

Kiwirob · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:35 pm

What goes up must come down. He had a good run, a big career, a bit of a sad way to end it.

bourbon · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:36 pm

Daughters were on board

D L X · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:37 pm

bourbon wrote:
Daughters were on board

Source?

Daughters on board does not add up.

DLFREEBIRD · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:38 pm

AirPacific747 wrote:
N72EX? Looks like it could be the heli based on flightaware

Apparently, it was his own helicopter, the one he used to take to games at the Staple Center.
Hikers saw it on fire in the air.

Karlsands · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:38 pm

D L X wrote:
bourbon wrote:
Daughters were on board

Source?

Daughters on board does not add up.

One

Nick614 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:38 pm

Daughters were not on board, nor wife, per local news.

Edit: The reporters tweet was just deleted, so could be bad news. I wont speculate further.

https://twitter.com/awainwrighttv/statu ... 9542255616

musman9853 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:39 pm

rnav2dlrey wrote:
woj just confirmed it on behalf of ESPN. unbelievable.

Woj bomb

JannEejit · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:41 pm

BBC News now running a discussion about his life.

zeke · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:43 pm

uta999 wrote:
Actually in the UK that is how most would say It.

I think most people’s reactions in the UK would first be “who is Kobe Bryant ?”

TTailedTiger wrote:
Was he rated to fly the helicopter himself or did he have a pilot on staff?

A S76 in IMC is something you would want a professional pilot to be flying.

ubeema · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:43 pm

ESPN reporting the news.

https://es.pn/2RwJSrX

RIP to the departed

Viper911 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:44 pm

Per TMZ one of Kobe's daughters was also on board the helicopter.

RIP

ubeema · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:49 pm

zeke wrote:
I think most people’s reactions in the UK would first be “who is Kobe Bryant ?”

Don’t underestimate the power of sports and Kobe’s popularity. I live in the US and I have people messaging me from Africa to verify the news. This news will overshadow even the most important topics of the day !

crownvic · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:52 pm

Viper911 wrote:
Per TMZ one of Kobe's daughters was also on board the helicopter.

RIP

Eldest daughter Gigi is reported to have been onboard. They were heading to a tournament in Thousand Oaks CA

Clackers · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:56 pm

Who the hell takes off in a helicopter in THICK FOG?

Bryant... RIP

JannEejit · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:56 pm

BBC News reporting his 13 year old daughter WAS on board.

TheZ · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:58 pm

RIP, he is a legend

Tankdiver · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:58 pm

Now they are reporting that former Lakers Rick Fox was aboard too!

JannEejit · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:58 pm

crownvic wrote:
Viper911 wrote:
Per TMZ one of Kobe's daughters was also on board the helicopter.

RIP

Eldest daughter Gigi is reported to have been onboard. They were heading to a tournament in Thousand Oaks CA

Just been mentioned on BBC News as well, 13 years old. Terrible...

D L X · Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:59 pm

Tankdiver wrote:
Now they are reporting that former Lakers Rick Fox was aboard too!

Again source?

Please everyone, do not spread rumors. Cite sources.

JannEejit · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:00 pm

zeke wrote:
uta999 wrote:
Actually in the UK that is how most would say It.

I think most people’s reactions in the UK would first be “who is Kobe Bryant ?”

TTailedTiger wrote:
Was he rated to fly the helicopter himself or did he have a pilot on staff?

A S76 in IMC is something you would want a professional pilot to be flying.

Well I'm in the UK and have heard of him, it's also the lead item on the BBC News Channel just now.

JeremyB · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:01 pm

D L X wrote:
Tankdiver wrote:
Now they are reporting that former Lakers Rick Fox was aboard too!

Again source?

Please everyone, do not spread rumors. Cite sources.

TMZ is reporting it. Not sure how reliable they are, but they were the first to mention his passing.

RIP Kobe

crownvic · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:01 pm

D L X wrote:
Tankdiver wrote:
Now they are reporting that former Lakers Rick Fox was aboard too!

Again source?

Please everyone, do not spread rumors. Cite sources.

For the daughter, it was reported by TMZ.

D L X · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:01 pm

Rick Fox not on board.

Please do not post rumors. Post facts with sources.

https://twitter.com/courtneyfallon_/sta ... 68096?s=21

zeke · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:02 pm

Viper911 wrote:
Per TMZ one of Kobe's daughters was also on board the helicopter.

RIP

LASD will hold a press conference at 2pm, the identity of those onboard have not been confirmed by police. This is often said in times when family members of the victims have not yet been notified.

Speculation of who was onboard without confirmation can cause undue stress to relatives and friends.

ikramerica · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:05 pm

It was very foggy this morning. Surprised they risked it.

Canuck600 · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:06 pm

Clackers wrote:
Who the hell takes off in a helicopter in THICK FOG?

Bryant... RIP

Helicopters can be equipped to fly in IFR conditions including helicopters a lot smaller then a 76B.

RDUDDJI · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:07 pm

Really sorry to hear this. Surely one of the GOATs. Hard to believe he's gone.

JannEejit · Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:09 pm

ikramerica wrote:
It was very foggy this morning. Surprised they risked it.

Mountain bikers in the Calabasas area are said to have witnessed the craft come down in flames. They are also reported as raising the alarm with the authorities. BBC News are rolling a live tv image (from distance) of a smoking wreckage in what looks like a remote wooded area.

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