Posted on 01/27/2020 6:43:06 AM PST by Red Badger
Um fog is different than a marine layer. Fog is a no go situation. You can’t see anything forward on the ground. Can you imagine being in a helo trying to go forward with 100ft of visibility? I’ll take my chances in a car. I’m an airplane pilot with 20,000 plus hours.
Fog would be a major factor if they flew into something tall like a building or mountain. This appears to be some sort of malfunction which caused the helicopter to dive. Unless the pilot had spatial disorientation (ala JFK Jr.) and thought he was flying parallel to the ground and was actually flying into the ground, I would not blame fog as the cause.
(note: lay person’s opinion, not a pilot)
There is audio available of the conversation between the pilot and Air Traffic Control. I listened to it, but can't quickly find a link to post. The pilot had an accent of some sort. It was clearly not Kobe.
Why?
Wrong
I wonder if the pilot was pressured to fly.
Since they were on their way to a tournament, they would have been late going by road.
I can’t help but wonder if they flew into a flock of geese or something.
Pilot was instrument rated but they should not have flown. Game would have been forfeited.
Owner of Island Express is Philip DiFiore.
Go fishing much?
Island Express.
Better late than NEVER!
It’s always shocking to have a major celebrity die in an accident.
Our local radio station was talking endlessly about it. I kept waiting for advice to the young about making “risky decisions.”
Flying a helicopter in heavy fog is risky; so is driving drunk, using alcohol or drugs, or vaping.
But, no mention of any of that.
So why did them give them special clearance?
It is very foolish and dangerous to fly helicopters close to the deck in hilly areas in dense fog.
Probably had helicopter in a separate corporation. That’s where the liability stops.
There will be plenty of time for that, right now let’s at least let the families grieve.
I have a close friend that is the chief pilot for a Fortune 500 company. He refused to fly one day and the company had to delay a big deal because of it. The CEO and the board all supported his decision. Refeshing to have them trust professionals.
He died almost exactly 24 hours ago, which is ONE day.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.