US Congress, February 02, 2021 - Washington, DC - Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and California Senator Dianne Feinstein announced the reintroduction of the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act, which will require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen federal safety standards for equipping helicopters.
Congressman Sherman moved to first introduce this legislation in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others one year ago in Calabasas, California.
The legislation is supported by members of the Bryant family, and Vanessa Bryant issued a statement of support last year:
“I strongly urge that the United States Congress pass a federal law that would improve the safety of helicopters operating in this country,” said Vanessa Bryant. "I believe there is a chance that Kobe and Gianna would still be alive today if their helicopter had been equipped with the safety equipment required by this pending federal legislation. Having Kobe's and Gianna's names associated with this federal law that has the potential to save countless lives would be a fitting tribute to their memory.”
In crafting this legislation, Congressman Sherman worked with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is charged with investigating tragedies like the one that occurred in Calabasas.
The National Transportation Safety Board formally recommended in 2004 that passenger helicopters be equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and two years later they also recommended that helicopters be equipped with a flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR). Unfortunately, the FAA refused to act on these safety recommendations.
“In 2004, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended to the FAA that all helicopters be equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System. Unfortunately, the FAA refused to follow this recommendation to require the safety system” said Congressman Sherman. “The Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act will finally direct the FAA to require these safety features for passenger helicopters in order to avoid tragedies like the one that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others.”
“Mandatory terrain awareness equipment on all helicopters has been recommended by the NTSB for 15 years, but the FAA has failed to require it on any helicopter save air ambulances,” Senator Feinstein said. “It’s clear the simple addition of this equipment will help keep passengers safe and prevent crashes due to poor visibility. Last January we saw just how deadly flying in low visibility without this equipment can be when a helicopter carrying nine individuals, including basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, crashed. The accident may very well have been avoided if terrain awareness equipment were mandatory as this bill will ensure it is.”
The Kobe and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act will finally direct the FAA to require that these safety features be required for passenger helicopters, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Congressman Sherman moved to first introduce this legislation in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others one year ago in Calabasas, California.
The legislation is supported by members of the Bryant family, and Vanessa Bryant issued a statement of support last year:
“I strongly urge that the United States Congress pass a federal law that would improve the safety of helicopters operating in this country,” said Vanessa Bryant. "I believe there is a chance that Kobe and Gianna would still be alive today if their helicopter had been equipped with the safety equipment required by this pending federal legislation. Having Kobe's and Gianna's names associated with this federal law that has the potential to save countless lives would be a fitting tribute to their memory.”
In crafting this legislation, Congressman Sherman worked with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is charged with investigating tragedies like the one that occurred in Calabasas.
The National Transportation Safety Board formally recommended in 2004 that passenger helicopters be equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and two years later they also recommended that helicopters be equipped with a flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR). Unfortunately, the FAA refused to act on these safety recommendations.
“In 2004, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended to the FAA that all helicopters be equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System. Unfortunately, the FAA refused to follow this recommendation to require the safety system” said Congressman Sherman. “The Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act will finally direct the FAA to require these safety features for passenger helicopters in order to avoid tragedies like the one that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others.”
“Mandatory terrain awareness equipment on all helicopters has been recommended by the NTSB for 15 years, but the FAA has failed to require it on any helicopter save air ambulances,” Senator Feinstein said. “It’s clear the simple addition of this equipment will help keep passengers safe and prevent crashes due to poor visibility. Last January we saw just how deadly flying in low visibility without this equipment can be when a helicopter carrying nine individuals, including basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, crashed. The accident may very well have been avoided if terrain awareness equipment were mandatory as this bill will ensure it is.”
The Kobe and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act will finally direct the FAA to require that these safety features be required for passenger helicopters, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.
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| I strongly disagree with the NTSB’s recommendation on this tragic accident. Because so many died and the celebrity status of this accident, NTSB’s priority has been to make a recommendation to keep the media happy. How many other near identical VFRintoIMC & CFIT accidents with single pilot aircraft happen every year and they don’t get recommendations very often, if at all. Re TAWS: Airliner safety has improved dramatically since the introduction of TAWS, but airlines generally fly high, fast and IFR, with TAWS providing a back up by watching ahead and below and providing terrain prediction when needed. Normally if a warning is issued by TAWS in an airliner, it’s warranted and action to “pull up”” is essential. Now look at this type of helicopter transfer: VFR! 130-150kts cruise and (relatively) low level. A TAWS display and warning would be going off constantly. It would end up ignored or disabled. And if the pilot, like the guy of this helicopter, does “pull up”, they’ll likely face entering IMC with a fair chance of either spacial disorientation or if they make it to destination, getting a call from the FAA. NTSB should hold back statements and recommendations until they have communicated with the helicopter pilot community. |
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Congress Safe Helicopters Now Act
