Exclusive
The representative of the pilot who was flying the helicopter that killed Kobe and Gianna Bryant, along with 6 other passengers, claims the people on board were responsible for the fatal crash.
It’s pretty shocking … the relative of pilot Ara George Zobayan, who also died in the crash, has answered Vanessa Bryant‘s lawsuit against Ara and the helicopter company, Island Express, saying, “Any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent, including their knowing and voluntary encounter with the risks involved, and that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility.”
It’s shocking because the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies grounded their fleet the morning of the crash due to fog and poor visibility. The pilot had to circle around the Griffith Park area for 15 minutes before being cleared to fly to the Mamba Academy up north.
The pilot was going 184 MPH in blinding fog when he crashed into a hill, killing everyone on board.
The answer to the lawsuit doesn’t address how the passengers might have been negligent or assumed a risk. As for negligence … presumably, they were just sitting in their seats. As for assuming a risk … it’s unclear what risk falls on passengers of an aircraft when the pilot is in control.