Audio clip of Kobe Bryant's crash released

The final moment of Kobe Bryant's fatal flight has surfaced online. The footage does not show the crash, but provides chilling audio captured on a home security camera. In the clip, you can hear the helicopter pass overhead, then impact the hillside. 

An investigator inspects the wreckage of Bryant's helicopter.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
1/30/2020 (5 years ago)

Published in Celebrity

Keywords: Kobe Bryant, Catholic, faith, transform, change, crash, audio, clip

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Calabasas resident Ronna Leavitt has provided a clip from her home security system that contains audio of Kobe Bryant's fatal crash. In the clip, the helicopter is heard passing overhead, then there is the sound of impact, and silence. 

It was speculated that weather was a major factor in the crash, and this is quickly becoming apparent. Data reveals the helicopter went into a bank and lost altitude just before it flew into the side of a hill in Calabasas, California on Sunday morning, January 26. The conditions were foggy and dangerous for flying. The pilot, 52 year-old Ara Zobayan obtained special permission to fly, at his own risk. 

The helicopter flew into worse conditions over Burbank, and he climbed and accelerated. Experts think he may have observed an obstacle and attempted to avoid it. However, the sudden maneuver may have caused him to become disoriented in the fog. Just seconds before the crash, the helicopter may have made a turn and lost about 500 feet of altitude in just 15 seconds. The helicopter smashed into a hillside, just 30 feet below the ridge line, and the wreckage tumbled into a ravine in Calabasas. 

It is easy for pilots to become disoriented in clouds or fog, and if they take their eyes off the instruments to look out the windshield, they may find themselves in a bank, turning one direction or another. Typically, when aircraft banks, it turns while losing speed and altitude. Usually, this is not a problem as the pilot can use instruments to correct themselves. However, when flying near mountainous terrain, a simple distraction or mistake can turn deadly. 

The loss of Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his daughter, Gianna, is a terrible tragedy. Masses and prayers have been said for the victims. Kobe Bryant was a faithful Catholic who attended Mass just before boarding the helicopter. Instead of landing in Camarillo, Bryant and his fellow passengers arrived in eternity. We pray for their eternal repose. And we pray for those left behind as they struggle to cope in this difficult time. 

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Click here to read about how Kobe Bryant's faith changed him for the better. 

Read more: We confirmed that Bryant and his daughter, Gianna attended Mass just before their final flight.

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