El piloto del helicóptero que se estrelló en una colina en medio de la niebla, causando la muerte de Kobe Bryant y otros siete pasajeros, estaba confundido en el momento del accidente, ya que informó que estaba ascendiendo cuando en realidad estaba descendiendo, según informes publicados por los investigadores federales.
El piloto Ara Zobayan comunicó por radio a los controladores de tránsito aéreo que estaba subiendo a 4.000 pies para superar las nubes, cuando en realidad el helicóptero se precipitaba hacia una colina donde se estrelló al noroeste de Los Ángeles, causando la muerte a las nueve personas que iban a bordo de la nave. El accidente ocurrió la mañana del domingo, 26 de enero, cuando Bryant llevaba a su hija Gianna a un partido de baloncesto.
El informe de la Junta Nacional de Seguridad en el Transporte indica que Zobayan pudo haber “percibido mal” los ángulos en los que estaba descendiendo y ladeando. Según los investigadores, es algo que puede suceder cuando un piloto se desorienta y hay poca visibilidad.
“Los ángulos aparentes calculados en este momento muestran que el piloto podría haber percibido erróneamente los ángulos de cabeceo y balanceo”, indicó el informe. El texto agrega que “durante el descenso final, el piloto, respondiendo (al control de tráfico aéreo), declaró que estaban subiendo a 4.000”.
“Los ángulos aparentes calculados en este momento muestran que el piloto podría haber percibido erróneamente los ángulos de cabeceo y balanceo”
Las 1.700 páginas de informes no ofrecen una conclusión de la causa del accidente, sino que compilan informes.
El informe final que establezca las causas del accidente se dará a conocer cuando se hayan estudiado y valorado todas las hipótesis y analizado los datos que hay en poder de los investigadores federales.
La NTSB dijo que no había signos de fallo del motor en el Sikorsky S-76 y que el rotor estaba girando justo antes de tocar el suelo a unas 184 millas por hora (296 kilómetros por hora).
Unos 45 minutos antes del despegue, Zobayan envió un texto a un grupo de personas que supervisaban el vuelo diciendo que el clima estaba “bien”. Richard Webb, propietario de OC Helicopters, que reservó el vuelo, estuvo de acuerdo.
Zobayan despegó del aeropuerto John Wayne en el Condado Orange a las 9:06 a.m. con los ocho pasajeros que había volado el día anterior al mismo destino, en donde se realizaba un torneo de baloncesto femenino en la academia deportiva de Bryant, en Thousand Oaks.
Unos 45 minutos antes del despegue, Zobayan envió un texto a un grupo de personas que supervisaban el vuelo diciendo que el clima estaba “bien”
La tarde antes del vuelo, después de regresar a los Bryant y sus invitados al Condado Orange, Zobayan le había enviado un mensaje, diciendo que acababa de verificar el clima para su próximo vuelo y que “no era el mejor día, pero no es tan malo como hoy”.
La salida del vuelo del sábado por la mañana se retrasó 15 minutos por el clima, dijo Brady, quien agregó que el horario original de vuelo para el domingo era a las 9:45 a.m., pero Bryant lo reprogramó para las 9 a.m. porque quería ver jugar a otro equipo antes del partido de su hija.
La viuda de Bryant, Vanessa, demandó al piloto, a Island Express y al propietario de la nave por negligencia. El hermano de Zobayan respondió en una corte que Bryant conocía los riesgos de volar en helicóptero y que sus sobrevivientes no tienen derecho a daños de la propiedad del piloto. Island Express Helicopters Inc. ha negado la responsabilidad, llamando al accidente “un acto de Dios” más allá de su control.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Kobe Bryant attends the LA Community Screening Of Warner Bros Pictures' "Just Mercy" at Cinemark Baldwin Hills on January 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
1
32
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Kobe Bryant at the 1999 Source Hip Hop Awards at the Pantages Theater August 18, 1999. Lopes was killed in a car crash in the Honduras April 25, 2002. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
SGranitz via Getty Images
2
32
12/17/99, Timberwolves vs. L.A. Lakers. -- The Lakers Kobe Bryant drives around the Wolves Anthony Peeler in second-half action. Bryant scored 28 points to lead the Laker scoring.(Photo By MARLIN LEVISON/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Star Tribune via Getty Images via Getty Images
3
32
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives past Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett in the first quarter 17 December 1999 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lakers won 97-88. AFP PHOTO/CRAIG LASSIG (Photo by CRAIG LASSIG / AFP) (P...
CRAIG LASSIG via Getty Images
4
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory with his daughter following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association champ...
STAN HONDA via Getty Images
5
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association championships defeating...
STAN HONDA via Getty Images
6
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory with his family following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association champio...
STAN HONDA via Getty Images
7
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory in the closing moments of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association champio...
STAN HONDA via Getty Images
8
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory in the closing moments of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association champio...
STAN HONDA via Getty Images
9
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association championships defeating...
EMMANUEL DUNAND via Getty Images
10
32
Kobe Bryant (L) and Derek Fisher celebrate after defeating the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association championships defeating Orlando 99-8...
EMMANUEL DUNAND via Getty Images
11
32
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives his way to the basket around 76ers' Andre Iguodala in the second quarter Sunday night, December 31, 2006 at Staples Center. (Photo by Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Myung J. Chun via Getty Images
12
32
(HR) ABOVE: Carmelo Anthony, right, bites down on his medal with teammates Dwyane Wade, middle and Lebron James, left. The U.S. men's basketball team won the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a 118-107 victory over Spain Sunday a...
Helen H. Richardson via Getty Images
13
32
Los Angels Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives to the basket against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, Friday, December 29, 2006. The Bobcats defeated the Lakers 133-124. (Photo by Jason E. Miczek/Charlotte Observe...
MCT via Getty Images
14
32
(HR) ABOVE: Kobe Bryant gets a pass around Spain's Felipe Reyes #9 and Rudy Fernandez, #5. The U.S. men's basketball team won the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a 118-107 victory over Spain Sunday afternoon at the Olympic Bask...
Helen H. Richardson via Getty Images
15
32
(HR) ABOVE: Kobe Bryant scrambles for the ball against Spain's Juan Carios Mavarro in the second half of the game. The U.S. men's basketball team won the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a 118-107 victory over Spain Sunday after...
Helen H. Richardson via Getty Images
16
32
Dec 29, 2006; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers KOBE BRYANT against the Charlotte Bobcats on Dec. 29, 2006, at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, NC. The Bobcats won in triple overtime 133-124. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Sporting News v...
Sporting News Archive via Getty Images
17
32
LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant talks to the referee before the Boston Celtics went on to win 103-94 in game two of the NBA finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 6, 2010. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are not only seeking ...
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
18
32
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 21: Kobe Bryant and Ronny Turiaf, his French team-mate for three seasons (2005-2008) in Los Angeles gives a "Mamba talk" as they reflect on their NBA memories at "Le Quartier" renovated gymnasium dedicated to basketball g...
Frederic Stevens via Getty Images
19
32
Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives past 76ers' defender Andre Iguodala in the fourth quarter of play during the Lakers' 10494 win Sunday, December 31, 2006 at Staples Center. (Photo by Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Myung J. Chun via Getty Images
20
32
LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dribbles the ball before the Boston Celtics went on to win 103-94 in game two of the NBA finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 6, 2010. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are not only seeking the...
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
21
32
LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (R) returns to the bench after a foul before the Boston Celtics went on to win 103-94 in game two of the NBA finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 6, 2010. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are ...
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
22
32
LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gestures before the Boston Celtics went on to win 103-94 in game two of the NBA finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 6, 2010. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are not only seeking their 16th N...
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
23
32
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on December 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl...
Jeff Gross via Getty Images
24
32
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on December 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t...
Lisa Blumenfeld via Getty Images
25
32
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks and Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the first half at Staples Center on December 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac...
Jeff Gross via Getty Images
26
32
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles from the bench against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on December 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t...
Jeff Gross via Getty Images
27
32
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is introduced before the game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on December 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr...
Lisa Blumenfeld via Getty Images
28
32
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 28: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers jokes with Dwight Howard #12 during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 28, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 104-87. ...
Harry How via Getty Images
29
32
Lakers Kobe Bryant squeezes by Nuggets Al Harrington and Pau Gasol while dribbling at the Staples Center Saturday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Wally Skalij via Getty Images
30
32
Lakers Kobe Bryant reacts after almost stealing the ball against the Trail Blazers at the Staples Center Friday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Wally Skalij via Getty Images
31
32
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against the Portland Trail Blazers during their NBA game on December 28, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO / Joe KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP via G...
JOE KLAMAR via Getty Images
32
32
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Kobe Bryant attends the LA Community Screening Of Warner Bros Pictures' "Just Mercy" at Cinemark Baldwin Hills on January 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images