Private Jet Crash In California Source Bing.com
A private jet crashed in California on Sunday, killing all nine people on board. The jet was heading from Orange County to Van Nuys, a city in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, when it crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but officials have said that weather may have played a role.
The Victims
Victims Of Private Jet Crash Source Bing.com
The victims of the crash included basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other people. Bryant, who was 41 years old, played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and won five championships. He was also an Olympic gold medalist and an Academy Award winner.
Gianna was a talented basketball player who had dreams of playing in the WNBA. The other victims included John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College; his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser, a basketball coach at a private school in Orange County; Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton; and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.
The Flight
Private Jet Crash Route Source Bing.com
The flight took off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at around 9:00 am. The helicopter was a Sikorsky S-76B, which is a popular model for private use. The flight was supposed to take about 45 minutes and was heading to Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley. The weather was foggy and visibility was low at the time of the crash.
According to flight records, the helicopter was flying at about 184 miles per hour and at an altitude of about 2,300 feet when it crashed into the hillside. The pilot had been in contact with air traffic control and had been given clearance to fly under special visual flight rules due to the poor visibility.
The Cause of the Crash
Sikorsky S-76B Source Bing.com
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but officials have said that weather may have played a role. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has said that it could take months to determine the cause.
The NTSB has also said that it will be looking at the helicopter’s maintenance records, pilot’s training and experience, and the terrain of the crash site. The Sikorsky S-76B has a good safety record and is widely used for private flights, so investigators will be looking closely at any potential mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash.
The Aftermath
Kobe Bryant Tribute Source Bing.com
The crash has shocked the world and has led to an outpouring of grief and tributes for the victims. Fans gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which is where Bryant played for the Lakers, to pay their respects. Many NBA players and other athletes have also paid tribute to Bryant and his daughter.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and it may be some time before we have a definitive answer. In the meantime, the world mourns the loss of a basketball legend and eight other people who were taken too soon.
