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26 Jan Kobe Bryant fatal helicopter crash

ATC communications preceding the fatal 2020 helicopter crash involving NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

2020-01-26 Los Angeles Basin, Calabasas, California CW: The recording precedes a fatal crash with nine fatalities. No impact sounds are heard, but the context is distressing.

Summary

This recording captures the final radio transmissions of N72EX, a Sikorsky S-76B, as it navigates deteriorating weather conditions in the Los Angeles basin. The pilot coordinates with Burbank and Van Nuys towers for Special VFR transitions before losing contact with SoCal Approach. All nine people on board, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, perished in the subsequent crash in Calabasas.

Analysis

The transcript begins with the pilot of N72EX, Ara Zobayan, requesting a Special VFR (SVFR) transition through Burbank’s airspace. SVFR is a set of regulations that allows a pilot to fly in weather conditions worse than standard Visual Flight Rules (VFR), provided they remain clear of clouds and have at least one mile of visibility. The weather in the Los Angeles area that morning was "IFR" (Instrument Flight Rules), meaning ceilings were low and visibility was poor, which is why the helicopter was required to hold for 15 minutes to allow for other instrument traffic.

As the flight progresses, the pilot follows major freeways (the I-5 and 118) as visual landmarks to navigate through the low clouds. This technique, often colloquially called "scud running," is high-risk in hilly terrain. The pilot successfully transitions through Burbank and Van Nuys airspace, eventually turning toward the 101 freeway. The technical crux of the recording occurs when the pilot contacts SoCal Approach for "flight following"—a service where ATC provides traffic advisories.

The controller informs the pilot that they are "too low for flight following." This indicates that the helicopter had descended below the minimum altitude where it could be reliably tracked by radar in that specific geographic area. Shortly after this exchange, the pilot began a rapid climb to "get above the clouds," but likely succumbed to spatial disorientation—a condition where a pilot loses their sense of "up" and "down" when visual references are lost. This led to a fatal "somatogravic illusion" and a high-speed descent into the Calabasas hills.

The aftermath of this event was a global media sensation and a significant moment for aviation safety. The NTSB investigation highlighted the dangers of flying VFR into IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) and sparked renewed debates regarding the mandatory installation of Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) on all commercial helicopters. The recording serves as a somber educational tool regarding the limits of ATC assistance when a pilot is operating at low altitudes in poor weather.

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Original ATC Communication

Plain English Translation

BURBANK TOWER
November 72 Echo X-ray, Burbank Tower. Burbank altimeter is 30.19. Burbank Class Charlie surface area is IFR. State your intentions.
BURBANK TOWER
Helicopter 72 Echo X-ray, this is Burbank Tower. The local air pressure for your altimeter is 30.19. The weather in the Burbank area is currently restricted to instrument flying only due to low visibility. What are your plans?
PILOT - N72EX
Burbank, 2 Echo X-ray. We’d like a special VFR transition on the 101 west.
PILOT - N72EX
Burbank, this is Echo X-ray. We’d like special permission to fly visually through these clouds by following the 101 freeway west.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, hold outside Burbank Class Charlie airspace. I have an aircraft going around.
BURBANK TOWER
Echo X-ray, stay outside of the Burbank controlled airspace for now. I have another aircraft that just aborted its landing and is circling back around.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray holding.
PILOT - N72EX
Echo X-ray, we’ll circle and wait out here.
BURBANK TOWER
2 Echo X-ray, Van Nuys is also IFR.
BURBANK TOWER
Echo X-ray, just so you know, the weather over at Van Nuys is also restricted to instrument flying only.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
Echo X-ray, copy that.
BURBANK TOWER
It’s going to be a little bit. I’ve got a Citation on a nine-mile final, and then that go-around I just had is going to be turning base-to-final in about three minutes.
BURBANK TOWER
It’s going to be a little while. I’ve got a private jet on its final approach nine miles out, and then that plane that aborted its landing will be lining up for another try in about three minutes.
PILOT - N72EX
Okay, we’ll continue holding. 2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
Okay, we’ll continue circling and waiting. Echo X-ray.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, for your planning purposes, you can expect to transition to the north side of the airport. I just spoke with Van Nuys on the line, and they’ve got multiple IFR departures coming off of Runway 16. So, you can expect to follow the 5 North and cross that way.
BURBANK TOWER
Echo X-ray, for your planning, expect to pass through the north side of the airport. I just spoke with the Van Nuys controllers, and they have several planes taking off into the clouds from their main runway. So, plan to follow the 5 freeway north to get across.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray, will plan.
PILOT - N72EX
Echo X-ray, we’ll plan for that route.
BURBANK TOWER
317 Papa, Burbank Tower. You can expect a few minutes. I’ve got a special VFR helicopter I need to get transitioning. He's been holding for about 15 minutes.
BURBANK TOWER
317 Papa, Burbank Tower. It’ll be a few minutes for you. I have a helicopter with special permission to fly through this weather that I need to get moving first. He’s been waiting out there for about 15 minutes.
BURBANK TOWER
2 Echo X-ray, northwest, follow the 5 freeway. Maintain special VFR conditions at or below 2,500.
BURBANK TOWER
Echo X-ray, head northwest and follow the 5 freeway. Keep your flight clear of the clouds and stay at or below 2,500 feet.
PILOT - N72EX
Maintain special VFR at or below 2,500, I-5 Northbound. 2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
We’ll stay clear of the clouds at or below 2,500 feet, following the I-5 northbound. Echo X-ray.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, Roger. You are cleared through Burbank Class Charlie surface area from the southeast to the northwest.
BURBANK TOWER
Echo X-ray, received. You are cleared to fly through Burbank’s controlled airspace from the southeast to the northwest.
PILOT - N72EX
Copy that. Maintain special VFR. 2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
Copy that. We'll stay clear of the clouds. Echo X-ray.
BURBANK TOWER
2 Echo X-ray, for your transition to Camarillo, did you just want to follow the 118?
BURBANK TOWER
Burbank Tower to 2 Echo X-ray, for your flight over to Camarillo, do you just want to follow the 118 freeway?
PILOT - N72EX
118, and then we'll loop around Van Nuys to catch the 101. 2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
We'll take the 118, and then we'll loop around Van Nuys to pick up the 101 freeway. 2 Echo X-ray.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, Roger.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, understood.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, continue following the 5 northwest-bound to join the 118. Van Nuys will work you through. Radar service terminated. Maintain that squawk. Contact Van Nuys Helicopters, 119.0.
BURBANK TOWER
November 2 Echo X-ray, keep following the 5 freeway northwest to connect with the 118. Van Nuys tower will guide you through their area. I'm stopping my radar service now. Keep your current transponder code and switch over to Van Nuys Helicopter control on 119.0.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray, switching to Van Nuys.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray, switching over to Van Nuys now.
PILOT - N72EX
Van Nuys Helicopters, 2 Echo X-ray with you for the special VFR transition. We are currently at 1,400.
PILOT - N72EX
Van Nuys Helicopter control, 2 Echo X-ray checking in for the low-visibility transition through your area. We are currently at 1,400 feet.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 72 Echo X-ray, Van Nuys Tower. Wind calm, visibility two and one-half, ceiling 1,100 overcast. Van Nuys altimeter 30.16. Cleared into Van Nuys Class Delta northeast of Van Nuys along the 118 freeway westbound. Advise when you are in VFR conditions or when you are clear of the Van Nuys Class Delta. Transition at or below 2,500 is permitted.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 72 Echo X-ray, Van Nuys Tower. The wind is calm, visibility is two and a half miles, and there's a cloud ceiling at 1,100 feet. The local pressure is 30.16. You're cleared into Van Nuys airspace northeast of the airport along the 118 freeway heading west. Let me know when you're back in clear weather or when you've left our airspace. Stay at or below 2,500 feet.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray. We’ll advise in VFR conditions. We'll stay on the 118. We're currently at 1,400, and we have 0235.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray. We’ll let you know when we're in clear weather. We're staying on the 118, currently at 1,400 feet, and our tracking code is 0235.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, thanks. Once you're clear of Van Nuys Delta, did you want to talk to SoCal?
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, thanks. Once you've left Van Nuys airspace, did you want to talk to Southern California regional controllers?
PILOT - N72EX
Affirmative, 2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
That’s correct, 2 Echo X-ray.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, understand. Just remain this frequency for now. And again, 118 West.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, I understand. Just stay on this frequency for now. And again, stay on the 118 West.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray, 118 West.
PILOT - N72EX
2 Echo X-ray, 118 West, copy that.
PILOT - N72EX
Tower for 2 Echo X-ray, can we go ahead and start turning to the southwest towards the 101?
PILOT - N72EX
Tower, 2 Echo X-ray, can we go ahead and start turning southwest toward the 101 freeway?
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, approved. Are you transitioning in VFR conditions?
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, that’s approved. Are you flying in clear weather conditions now?
PILOT - N72EX
VFR conditions, 1,500. 2 Echo X-ray.
PILOT - N72EX
We have clear weather at 1,500 feet. 2 Echo X-ray.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, thank you. Contact SoCal now, 134.2 for flight following.
VAN NUYS TOWER
Helicopter 2 Echo X-ray, thank you. Switch over to Southern California radar control now on frequency 134.2 so they can track your flight.
PILOT - N72EX
134.2.
PILOT - N72EX
Switching to 134.2.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, ident.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, press the button on your console to identify your position on my radar screen.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, yeah, you're squawking a 1200 code. Are you requesting flight following?
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, I see you're using the general code for flying without radar help. Are you asking for us to track your flight and provide guidance?
SOUTHWEST 2080
Southwest 2080, SoCal Approach. Fly present heading, maintain 6,000.
SOUTHWEST 2080
Southwest 2080, this is Southern California radar. Keep flying in your current direction and stay at 6,000 feet.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, what are your intentions?
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, what are your intentions for where you’re heading?
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, you're still too low level for flight following at this time.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, you’re still flying too low for our radar to pick you up and provide tracking services right now.
SOCAL APPROACH
Southwest 4051, you're five miles from FILER. Turn left heading 100, maintain 4,000 until established. Cleared ILS Zulu Runway 8.
SOCAL APPROACH
Southwest 4051, you’re five miles from the FILER checkpoint. Turn left to a heading of 100, stay at 4,000 feet until you’re lined up with the landing path. You’re cleared for the radio-guided landing on Runway 8.
SOUTHWEST 4051
Left heading 100, maintain 4,000 until established. Cleared ILS Zulu Runway 8, Southwest 4051.
SOUTHWEST 4051
Left to heading 100, staying at 4,000 until we’re lined up. Cleared for the radio-guided landing on Runway 8, Southwest 4051.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, SoCal.
SOCAL APPROACH
2 Echo X-ray, this is Southern California radar, do you hear me?
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