Vanessa Bryant Takes the Helm—Justice for Kobe and His Crew
On Monday, while the world still felt the shockwave of the helicopter crash that took Kobe, his 13‑year‑old daughter Gianna, and eight others, Vanessa Bryant stepped onto the legal battlefield. She filed a lawsuit against those who allowed the doomed airship to take flight.
Who’s Being Called Out?
- Island Express Helicopters
- Island Express Holding Corp.
- And the estate of the pilot, Ara Zobayan, who tragically died along with the others.
Remember that five‑year‑old basketball prodigy, Gianna? Her teammates—Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester—along with their families and Coach Christina Mauser also lost their lives. It’s a heartbreaking match that was (unfortunately) decided at the wrong altitude.
Why the Lawsuit Matters
The suit points fingers at the company for letting the aircraft take off in heavy fog and low clouds—on a Sunday morning when law enforcement and tour operators had already grounded their helicopters. The claim says the FAA certificate of Island Express only allowed pilots to fly under visual flight rules (VFR), but the helicopter was absolutely not certified for instrument weather.
According to the lawsuit, pilot Ara Zobayan tried to navigate past the clouds, only to end up flaring into steep terrain at about 180 mph.* Witnesses swear they saw the bird slicing through fog before the fatal crash.
Previous Red Flags
Back in 2015, Zobayan had already landed himself in a tie‑up with the FAA for ignoring VFR minimums and diving into reduced visibility conditions. We’re not saying he was a rule breaker; we’re just saying the sky didn’t give him a green light.
What’s the Legal Goal?
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified general, economic, and punitive damages. The company’s response? None yet. Island Express will probably say something soon, but for now the eagle eye of justice is staring straight into the past.
In a world where a hero’s legacy is forever embedded in a single tragedy, Vanessa’s move is more than a legal fix—it’s a rallying cry. Let’s hope the sky that went wrong again offers a chance for the law to be swift, and that destiny doesn’t repeat its cruel patterns.
