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Kobe Bryant pilot warned helicopter was "too low" by air traffic control before fatal crash


The helicopter Kobe Bryant was travelling in was “too low” moments before the tragic crash.

NBA legend Bryant and daughter Gianna were among nine people killed after his aircraft crashed in California on Sunday.

Los Angeles Police Department have confirmed conditions were not suitable for flying before the fatal trip, the Mirror reports.

Audio footage between the pilot and air traffic control reveals an attempt to guide the helicopter before fatally losing contact.

Kobe Bryant was 41 when he died

The pilot is heard asking the controller if the helicopter was OK to go ahead and start its transition – after a special VFR (visual flight rules) was requested, meaning only one aircraft is allowed in the airspace.

The audio footage shows the controller asking if the aircraft was ‘transitioning in VFR conditions’.

Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2019

The flight is then passed over as the pilot is told to contact SoCal 134.2 for the flight approach.

The footage then shows the pilot not being heard due to the low altitude as it crashes to its descent.

Socal approach controllers are heard asking the pilot “say intentions” as it fails to contact the aircraft.

The controller then tells the pilot: “you are too low level for flight following at this time.”

The scene of the helicopter crash in Calabasas near LA, California

The term was used in reference to the controller no longer being able to read the radar, rather than the descent of the helicopter.

Radar contact between air traffic control and the helicopter is then lost with no more communications received.

It is also reported the controller stated the helicopter had a ‘go-around’, a rare manoeuvre where an aircraft cancels its landing due to low visibility.

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Flight radars show the helicopter circles around for 15 minutes and tried to turn before crashing.





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