Kobe Bryant is Gone

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Never liked flying on rotary wing aircraft, still don’t.

Because helos don’t technically fly, they just beat the air into submission, temporarily.

What a shame. Would it have been two or one pilots?

[titsonritz]

Never was a basketball fan let alone a Kobe Bryant fan, sad news none the less, I feel sorry for his wife to loose no only a husband but also a child. Very sad all the way around.

[Det-Sog]

I only had one crash and it was when I was landing and took small arms fire into the tail boom, causing tail rotor transmission failure. Spun and dropped about 70 feet, landing on the skids and breaking off the rotors.

Dude... Give yourself some credit. That was not a crash/mishap, you were shot down. BIG difference. Glad you're OK.

[Watrdawg]

Definitely not a NBA fan but you have to feel for the families. The other people on the flight were a husband, wife and daughter. Don't know about the others. So two families basically ripped apart. Feel for all involved.

[jmoore]

Obviously a tragedy for the friends, family, and those who follow basketball!

Interesting that it occurred on a day when almost no other news happened around the country or world - or at least that is what the various news services are broadcasting.

geezer john

[OH58D]

Here are the coms between ATC and Kobe Bryant's helicopter. They had taken off from John Wayne Airport in Orange county and had to cross the airspace of LAX, Burbank and Van Nuys. They were held in position short of Burbank for 15 minutes because of traffic congestion. This would have been a focused flight in clear conditions, but with all the air traffic and limited visibility, I am thinking the pilot lost spacial orientation and altitude awareness and ran it into the hillside. The ideal situation would have been two pilots for those conditions. Also, with an advanced aircraft like that, you can engage autopilot and set it vertical/lateral hold - basically hover in place until you can regain your senses and spacial orientation.

[Stickman]

Didn't he cheat on his wife, and rape someone?

Allegedly it was a lot more than just one rape of stupid white girls who wanted to go up to his room and "party". Play stupid games, win stupid prizes and all that.

His wife knew she was married to a player, and I doubt she was in it for anything other than the money. That being said, knowing you are going down and can't save your child has got to be bad (assuming he wasn't just thinking of himself).

I have no use for him, and think he was a POS, but I wouldn't wish this on him or his family. He made millions playing a game we all played in school, but for some reason people think its great. I don't see the appeal, but that is my answer for all sports teams and players. No matter how good he was, he played a game. If he did good things in life or made a difference somehow to others, I hope people post about it.

If someone wants to hero worship, show me a combat (or inner city) medic.

[Stickman]

Dude... Give yourself some credit. That was not a crash/mishap, you were shot down. BIG difference. Glad you're OK.

Agreed 100%!!!

[Dr. Bullseye]

Never a Kolbe fan nor an NBA fan and don't feel I have to mouth platitudes. Move on news cycle.

[6933]

Allegedly it was a lot more than just one rape

I have no use for him, and think he was a POS,

If someone wants to hero worship, show me a combat (or inner city) medic.

He didn't contribute $h-T, he was all about himself. He also made numerous racist remarks. I am sorry for his daughter, but his death is not newsworthy.

All these people professing how much of a loss it is have their priorities WAY out of wack.

The world is not any worse off with this dirtbag's death.