Home WebMail Saturday, November 2, 2024, 08:41 AM | Calgary | -3.9°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2020-02-24T19:04:35Z | Updated: 2020-02-24T19:05:59Z

Vanessa Bryant has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters, the operator of the helicopter that crashed outside Los Angeles last month and killed nine people, including Kobe Bryant and the couples 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The suit claims that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was negligent in his operation of the aircraft as he navigated through a heavy fog, and it accuses Island Express of taking unnecessary risk given the circumstances. Zobayan was also killed in the crash.

Defendant Island Express Helicopters breach of its duty and negligence caused the injuries and damages complained of herein and Plaintiffs deceased, Kobe Bryant, was killed as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan for which Defendant Island Express Helicopters is vicariously liable in all respects, a copy of the lawsuit obtained by the LA Times reads.

A National Transportation Safety Board report released earlier this month noted that Zobayan, an experienced pilot and flight instructor, had received special clearance to fly in difficult conditions shortly before takeoff.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost

The lawsuit says the helicopter was traveling at 180 miles per hour in the moments before the crash, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by TMZ . Failure to properly research and respond to weather conditions constitutes the bulk of the claims.

The 27-count complaint seeks general damages, economic damages and punitive damages, the Times reported.