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Congressman Sherman Remembers Kobe and Gianna Bryant on 2nd Anniversary of Fatal Helicopter Crash

January 26, 2022

Los Angeles, CA – Today Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) commemorated two years since NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26th, 2020.

"It's been two years since we shockingly and tragically lost a Los Angeles and world icon in Kobe Bryant, his young daughter Gianna, and seven other souls in a terrible helicopter crash," said Congressman Sherman on today's solemn anniversary. "We must honor their memories by working to ensure this type of tragedy can be avoided in the future. The Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act, that Senator Diane Feinstein and I introduced this Congress, aims to do just that by requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen federal safety standards for equipping helicopters."

The Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act is supported by members of the Bryant family, and Vanessa Bryant issued a statement of support in 2020:

"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…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."

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