Helicopter in Kobe Bryant Crash Had Been Upgraded to Carry 9
By Eric Leonard •
Phoenix Mercury
The charter company that owned and operated the helicopter that crashed last month with Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others on board, had modified the interior of the aircraft to so it could seat more passengers, according to documents filed with the Federal Aviation Administration.
A series of equipment changes to the Sikorsky S-76B were
reported to the FAA in 2016, shortly after Island Express Helicopters purchased
the aircraft at auction from the state of Illinois. The documents were provided
by the FAA in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks wears a number 8 jersey to honor the passing of Kobe Bryant during a game against the Washington Wizards on January 26, 2020 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Madison Square Garden pays tribute to Kobe Bryant during Brooklyn Nets v New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on January 26, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)
NYC and the NBA pay tribute to Kobe Bryant after the Los Angeles Lakers great died in a helicopter crash at age 41 at Times Square and madison Square on January 27, 2020 in New York, United States. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia tears up as he talks about Kobe Bryant after winning his Men’s Singles Quarterfinals match against Milos Raonic of Canada on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
One minute’s silence for Kobe Bryant during the Basketball Bundesliga match between Alba Berlin and HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim at Mercedes-Benz Arena on January 27, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Florian Pohl/City-Press via Getty Images)
A person wearing a face mask takes a selfie of a makeshift sign reading “Kobe & Gigi Bryant Park” at the Bryant Park subway station on January 27, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
A makeshift sign reading “Kobe Bryant Park” is seen at the 5th Avenue/Bryant Park Station on January 27, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
A memorial for Kobe Bryant was made on January 27, 2020 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
A memorial is set up for Kobe Bryant on January 27, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
A general view of Hard Rock Stadium lit up in purple and gold in memory of NBA star Kobe Bryant prior to Super Bowl LIV on January 27, 2020 in Miami, United States. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
A jersey to honor Gianna Bryant sits on the UConn bench before the USA Women’s National Team Winter Tour 2020 game between the United States and the UConn Huskies at The XL Center on January 27, 2020 in Hartford, Connecticut. Bryant and her father, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons honor Kobe Bryant wearing number “8” and “24” on their jerseys prior to a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons on January 27, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat honor Kobe Bryant prior to a game between the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic on January 27, 2020 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
AC Milan fans hold a banner in honor of Kobe e Gianna Bryant during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and Torino at San Siro on January 28, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Escalators at TD Garden are lit up with Lakers purple to memorialize former NBA star Kobe Bryant on January 27, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed on January 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia warms up wearing a number 8 Kobe Bryant Jersey ahead of his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant is remembered on the scoreboard during a moment of silence before the game between the Oregon Ducks and the UCLA Bruins at Matthew Knight Arena on January 26, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves wears a #8 jersey for player introductions to honor Kobe Bryant before the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 27, 2020 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators hold a moment of silence for NBA star Kobe Bryant and the 8 others who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash yesterday prior to an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bridgestone Arena on January 27, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Empire State Building is illuminated in gold and purple lights to honor the late Lakers legend for paying tribute to Kobe Bryant in New York, United States on January 28, 2020. Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died on Sunday in a helicopter accident along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven other people. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A jersey to honor Gianna Bryant sits on the UConn bench before the USA Women’s National Team Winter Tour 2020 game between the United States and the UConn Huskies at The XL Center on January 27, 2020 in Hartford, Connecticut. Bryant and her father, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cornerback Eddie Jackson #39 of the Chicago Bears, Linebacker Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers and Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the NFC Team pay tribute the late NBA great Kobe Bryant with a fadeaway jumper after a big play in the second quarter during the NFL Pro Bowl Game at Camping World Stadium on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The AFC defeated the NFC 38 to 33. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
A tribute to Kobe Bryant is seen on the outside walls of the United Center before a game between the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs on January 27, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-German celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team looking up in honor to the NBA legend’s death Kobe Bryant during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Pierre Mauroy on January 26, 2020 in Lille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
The Sikorsky, registration N72EX, crashed January 26, 2020, near Calabasas after the pilot radioed that he was climbing to get clear of clouds. All on board were killed, including Kobe and Gianna Bryant, Christina Mauser, Sarah and Payton Chester, John, Kerry, and Alyssa Altobelli, and pilot Ara Zobayan.
In March, 2016 two captains chairs were removed from the
passenger compartment and were replaced with an aft-facing “divan” or
bench-like seat, according to an FAA Form 337, filed after any significant
repair or alteration is made to an aircraft.
NBCLA
From top-left, clockwise: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli and pilot Ara Zobayan, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, after the helicopter they traveled in crashed in Los Angeles.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 14, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list with a free throw during the second quarter.
Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles with his wife Vanessa and his daughters Natalia and Gianna after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. Kobe and Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, Jan. 26, 2020. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during the post game news conference with daughters Natalia and Gianna Bryant as he celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
OCC
This undated photo released by Orange Coast College shows its head baseball coach John Altobelli. The Altobelli family has confirmed that John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa were among those killed in the helicopter crash with NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Calabasas, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Alyssa played on the same team as Gianna, said Altobelli’s brother Tony, who is the sports information director at the school. (Orange Coast College via AP)
John Altobelli, Wife Keri and Daughter Alyssa Just as Bryant was passionate about basketball, John Altobelli had a deep love for the game of baseball. He coached at Orange Coast College. He was with the program for 27 years, leading the Pirates to four state titles en route to more than 700 career wins. Last year, he was the American Baseball Coaches Association as an ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year. Wife Keri and daughter Alyssa also were killed in Sunday's crash.
Family Photo
Payton played basketball with Bryant's daughter Gianna. Family members said she loved playing the game and described Sarah as the heart of their family.
Courtesy of Margaret Bray
Ara Zobayan, described as an experienced instructor and charter pilot who had flown celebrities like Kylie Jenner and her niece Dream and Lorenzo Lamas, was at the helm of the helicopter as it traveled to Newbury Park where the girls aboard were to have a basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy. He and all aboard, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter, perished in the crash Jan. 26, 2020.
Christina Mauser was a girls basketball coach at a nearby private elementary school. She is survived by her husband, who founded a popular Orange County band, and three young children. Her husband said she worked with Bryant at a clinic at Mamba Sports Academy.
The replacement seating could accommodate up to seven in the passenger compartment, plus two cockpit seats, one of which could be occupied by an eighth passenger. The new seating arrangement was FAA-approved for the S-76, according to the form.
Also in 2016 the company reported it removed a cockpit voice recorder that was installed when the aircraft was purchased in 2015. In 2017 more electronic equipment was replaced and upgraded, and in March 2019 weather radar systems were removed.
Island Express said last week it had halted all of its
operations indefinitely. Preliminary findings on the crash from the NTSB were
expected this week.
One caller even speculated with the dispatcher if the pilot faced disorientation due to the fog. Beverly White reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.
A federal official familiar with the crash investigation also confirmed that the company’s FAA certification to offer charter flights was limited to operations under visual flight rules. That meant it was not permitted for the flight from John Wayne Airport in Orange County to Camarillo Airport in Ventura County to be conducted using navigation instruments, even though the pilot was instrument rated and the helicopter equipped for instrument flights.
