#261

[@msims1910]

This video needs to be in EVERY flight training curriculum! Thank You!

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@aileronhelicopters]

@@HelicopterGround hi. Please let me know, why did the horn sound before they crashed, what may have happened to engine?

[@therayven3147]

@@aileronhelicopters that was a "low rpm" warning... the rotation of the blades dropped lower than could sustain the aircraft, similar to a minimal airspeed stall in a fixed wing aircraft. .. what caused the low rpm I couldn't say, maybe the pilot panicked and made too sudden of an input, I don't know...

[@longbizzle77]

My palms were getting sweaty as soon as he got into the mist. I can't believe he kept flying into that. My CFI always says "It's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground"

[@HelicopterGround]

Your CFI is exactly right! Thanks for commenting!

[@thefooflying6045]

My CFI would always tell me the same thing

[@sarahalbers5555]

Yes, are you kidding- the sky keeps.getting darker. a lot of turbulence, can't see anything.why would you continue? Makes me ill.

[@totallyrandom1126]

Looks like he kept going because he was with friends and felt he probably was going to break out at any moment rather than the intelligent response which would have been TURN AROUND. Jeez I have a just a mere 80 hours as a fixed wing student pilot and that has already been drilled into my head.. standard rate turn 180 degrees and go BACK.... sadly he took other lives as well for his negligence.

[@totallyrandom1126]

Sarah Albers probably peer pressure but yes it’s a chilling video.

[@RobertWestbergCrushingIt]

How tragic. However, as a non-pilot this is good to see so I know if I'm ever in a situation like this I can speak up and demand to land or turn back. God bless the families.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@themalacast]

@@HelicopterGround Why say "Thanks for commenting" instead of something substantive? Like: Do you think passengers should be more vocal about the conditions their pilot is heading into, or just let him fly the helicopter?

[@philancell884]

@@themalacast more than likely the guy has a LOT of responses to make for different videos and what he posted was cordial enough! He could have just ignored you Pal.

[@themalacast]

@@philancell884 He DID ignore me, um, pal. Either way, compare this approach to say, the Niko's Wings channel. This approach is clearly inferior.

[@philancell884]

@@themalacast I'm sure you have a life somewhere "Pal"

[@fredbixeljr7124]

Thank you for going over accidents for us. Real eye opener

[@HelicopterGround]

Fred Bixel jr thank you!

[@godsroseinbloomh3246]

@@HelicopterGround Did the chopper descend first before crashing...it had to. What is it about the soup? So u cannot fly out of it? Was his chopper too low and hit something? In Kobe"s case, what caused the chopper to descend? Once youre in a descent...u cant bring the altitude back? How did Kobe chopper start to descend...did the pilot intentionally start the descend and lose control? The chopper descended once it reached the clouds. Did pilot change his mind once in the clouds? ...get spacial disorientation And plan to go further up but went down instead? What caused the rapid descent?

[@godsroseinbloomh3246]

What is it about the Soup? No. You cannot fly out or it. You cannot see anything. You lose your bearings and equalibrium. You dont know ehich way is up or where it will end, if it ever ends

[@godsroseinbloomh3246]

When he made that 180 turn, he started to descend...loss of lift and prob overpitching.

[@godsroseinbloomh3246]

Rapid descent, I believe, was caused by the 180 turn... Those fractions of a second are crucial after a sharo turn and are life and death. He could not regain his lift because of the banking.

[@chunkybuttz844]

I’ve finally begun to inquire about the details of Kobe’s crash. Thank you for providing this kind of information

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@insomn3ak]

Absolutely terrifying. I dunno man, after the Kobe accident I’ve gone down the rabbit hole educating myself on VFR, IFR, IIMC, and I’m not sure I’ll ever purposely fly as a passenger in a helicopter. It seems WAY to risky.

[@taftkid7365]

I'm with you bruh

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting

[@charliepastrami2813]

@GUNNER GUNNAR did you watch the video?? Even the most experienced pilots will not fly in those conditions so what changes will they make?? Don't fly in those conditions and if the conditions change as your flying you should immediately look for a place to land.

[@DENIEL381]

AGREED THOUSANDS OF CRASHES ON YOU TUBE IT'S REALITY NOT FLYING EVER.

[@DENIEL381]

CRAP SHOOT NOT ME EVER.

[@kouza001]

Very true. The longer you are in the business the more accidents you see. Losing friends and colleagues changes your way of thinking. It reminds you how how dangerous things can get. I wouldn’t think of flying in the type of weather I flew in years ago.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting

[@MRPABL]

Thanks for giving us a better understanding on how weather can effect a flight.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you for commenting.

[@wjatube]

"what was the pilot thinking?" Get-me-there-itis, he knew the entire wedding party was awaiting their arrival.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@totallyrandom1126]

Sadly it’s not like the wedding would have started without the main characters. Dumb, dumb, dumb.....but then again educational for those of us that want to fly but safely and want to live to tell about our flights.

[@johnrmirez5261]

EXACTLY CORRECT

[@tmeservey2723]

Exactly! It's important to name it so that when the rest of us think it we can make better decisions.

[@alexworks9659]

Just speculation here, fairly junior pilot, the thinking of being close to destination, the pressure of delivering the bride to an expecting crowd, possibly being familiar with flying in the area, expecting to drop below ceiling or pop out of the soup any second led to the decision to keep flying. Male pax was not comfortable with it. He had iron grip on the brace and the “ok not cool” look on his face.

[@HelicopterGround]

Alex Works thanks for sharing!

[@Timmandel]

It's sad but thank you. People need to be reminded how fast things can go south. Its definitely sobering.

[@HelicopterGround]

Tim Mandel thanks for commenting!

[@DieselBear]

Who is here after Kobe Helicopter Accident

[@simonesand3698]

@Nisvet ,yes,and it makes you feel somewhat this happened in Kobe's accident,it's Sad but it's important to speak up.

[@danschiffer]

Kenny I've been a pilot for 49 years. I would like to thank you for this informative safety video. We older pilots hold that distinction not because we never made mistakes but like you are pointing out and sure hope pilots are listening...we make some mistakes but it's our better judgement that saves us. Kenny this is one of your best days with Kenny...great job, Thank You Like Matt Zacarro has preached...we are flying helicopters for goodness sake...have a problem?? " LAND THE DAMN HELICOPTER !!!"

[@HelicopterGround]

Dan Schiffer thank you I appreciate your thoughts very much!

[@anthonyo.thector32]

.....only if you're flying over land!

[@danschiffer]

Anthony O.T Hector if you are over water and out farther than you can auto gyro to land then you are required to have emergency floatation equipt on helicopter....irregardless, it would be better to ditch in water under control than lose control in IFR and kill everyone crashing uncontrolled into water or terrain....but lets get back to real issue, they never should have continued into zero vis. They had several opportunities to land VFR while they had sight of ground. When you are pilot, you must totally disregard any pressure or stress of passengers needing to get somewhere or their special occasions. You have a job to do...and thats to fly the helicopter the best you can and protect the safety of your passengers. Your job is being paid to haul passengers on specific missions, your priority is to do it safely and don't let anything disrupt or water down your better judgement...your judgement skills that may require you to fall short of mission goals due to mechanicals, or wx are one of the most important piloting skills you need to possess. Thanks for letting me lecture a bit..sorry, but I'm passionate about safety, pilot in command, discipline and wx judgement skills.Then comes my hands on piloting skills.

[@anthonyo.thector32]

@@danschiffer thanks for your response👍

[@grouperkng1]

When in doubt CHICKEN OUT put it on the ground.

[@johnfriend862]

Kenny, we dissected this crash 2 years ago at the RHC safety course. The pilot knew what he was heading into, but the bride refused to let him cancel the flight and "ruin her wedding". He allowed himself to be bullied into flying a flight he knew was wrong. The man with her in the back seat was her brother, who had listened to the pilot and didn't want to be there.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you!

[@pilgrimsnest592]

ahh how i hate it. these snakes who destroy it all because of their ego.

[@grahamlwilson]

Hi Kenny, we had have had a fatal accident happen here a few weeks ago, not far from where we live on the east coast of Australia. Experienced commercial heli pilot and three pax,continued flight at night into wild weather. The aircraft ended up in the Tasman Sea a good distance off the coast. All lives lost and the helicopter has not been recovered from the sea yet.

[@HelicopterGround]

Always sad to hear. Thanks for commenting.

[@RelishWithReCheil]

This kept me on the edge of my seat.

[@HelicopterGround]

Please visit www.HelicopterGround.com

[@garthrichert5256]

I am not a pilot, but your instructional videos are so interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting!

[@lavernedofelmier6496]

What you say is so true. Flying in the mountains I’ve had to turn around many times. Sad video, I could only watch once.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@danielmasters8145]

Your channel is very valuable. This is what KZbin should be about. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@jhouse770]

He was employed to get them to their wedding on time...’get there itis’ is what pushed him on. Thanks again for another great tutorial...love your channel and hope to be certified some day soon...and I’m 57!

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you very much!

[@HtPt]

Jay , have a coffee and turn 58 .... you know what i mean, ..

[@protochris]

Exactly what happened with Kobe's pilot.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you for commenting.

[@dihappy]

Really? I never read up on it, is this why they crashed?

[@frankl.4430]

Go to Chamberlain Heights cartoons on KZbin and watch the video from 2017 that shows Kobe in a helicopter and it crashes and then explodes. 2 YEARS before he died!!!! Go watch it before you comment.

[@dihappy]

Found these kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXLVh4CKhbOga9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjHeYh5o92EepI

[@BitcoinMotorist]

@@frankl.4430 Kobe had been taking helicopters for 10 years, it was covered in the news many times. Sometimes a cartoon, is just a cartoon

[@timmorris3056]

His Ego got in the way of a Smart decision. There's Absolutely NO Shame in landing somewhere and taking a break, the Beauty of helicopters! Everyone will thank you! I'd rather be Late than DEAD! And the kool side effect, drop down in a store parking lot and you're like a SuperHero, they'll talk about that forever! In Tulsa we had a squall come through, so we set down at the mall theater and went in and watched Toy Story 2, movie over, Squall gone, and we had plenty of popcorn for the rest of the flight! Made for an Epic entry in that student's logbook!

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for sharing Tim!

[@jhouse770]

Tim Morris I would be worried the whole movie that someone was tampering with the aircraft left unattended in an unsecured area

[@timmorris3056]

@@jhouse770 The mall parking lot security rental cops thought it was awesome to be asked to keep an eye on it.

[@jeancater1388]

Had I been a passenger, you would have seen me screaming “If I can’t see neither can you!”

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@Nallisn]

Jean Cater Exactly. As much as I know now, I would be saying please turn around!

[@paleriedove3333]

@@Nallisn me too

[@Mrfrenchdeux]

I don't think it would matter, all pilot would do was what he did, repeat, "calma, calma, calma".

[@randomvintagefilm273]

The groom was getting nervous before anyone else, he sensed danger. I don't fly, period

[@yattamherrag7219]

That was her brother. Their mother is still hurting. Losing her Son an daughter. Helicopter had no Insurance. The other brother. Went to the sight an found this film.

[@vracan]

people die in car crashes too, so you dont drive (or go as passenger) either?

[@BillDerBerg]

One is necessary the other isn't

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@leval1000]

John J. Sanchez Exactly

[@networkbike543]

I was taking gliding lessons and one instructor said to be able to recognise features on the ground. Another one shortly after the winch tow went into a very small wispy cloud and started freaking out not knowing where he was. I said I could see the half-moon lake beneath us and then we were out of the cloud after only 5 secs. It made me realise how things can go badly wrong very quickly.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@hughesevents]

Thank you for doing this video Kenny.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you John!

[@donmeeker8911]

This is one of saddest things I've ever seen. It was brother and sister. They were flying to do grand entrance tothe wedding. The parents lost there only 2 kids on the day that was supposed to be one of the happiest.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you for commenting.

[@KLBritts]

I just stared at the girl in the dress the whole time. It’s so sad, in her mind you’re going to your wedding it’s gonna be OK.

[@willg4802]

It was totally unnecessary to arrive by helicopter.

[@bluegoka]

And the photographer was pregnant.

[@LuizFernando-pj4rp]

I clearly remember when this accident happened. I'm from Brazil, was living there at the time of the accident, and it actually happened there about 5 years ago or so. Not only four deaths, but five. The woman beside the pilot was the wedding photographer and she was in late pregnancy. They were going from Sao Paulo to Mairipora, a high altitude city in the mountains, very short flight. Pilot undertrained and aircraft not equipped for instruments navigation, even though he was aware about the drastic weather conditions ahead. He (or they) chose to take a chance in my opinion due to the pressure of circumstances and also because people in my country usually prefer to be excessively confident and optimistic not taking the risks seriously. You can see them making jokes and laughing before the very likely crash. Sad and absolutely avoidable unnecessary deaths.

[@HelicopterGround]

Luiz Fernando thanks for sharing!

[@rhark25]

Very interesting perspective...thank you!

[@David-cm4ok]

At least they had a laugh before they perished.

[@SanchoSanto]

Do you have a link to the news clip?

[@GJLCreativeStudios]

" usually prefer to be excessively confident and optimistic not taking the risks seriously" Auto translate: People in my country are stupid.

[@Rodnyet]

Since the passing of Kobe I never thought I would be learning so much about helicopters. Just trying to keep a better understanding how this flight went down and tragically killed these innocent people smh.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@simonesand3698]

@Rodnye Theoc ,agree,me too.I don't understand why why would the pilot kept going, its like milky .No one even said turn around.WOW

[@SanchoSanto]

What was that horn? Low altitude warning? I'm also wondering why he pitched left. Did shear wind hit the right side of the heli or did he just get disoriented and pull left?

[@HelicopterGround]

Low rpm then he lost control.

[@DJSbros]

@@HelicopterGround Why low rpm? Why not just keep the helicopter level and watch altitude?

[@marcelodorio1]

What probably happened was that because he was very close to his destination (about 2 miles ou), he had a bride, the bride's brother and a photographer (who's actually pregnant) making a documenting a video he felt pressured to accomplishing his flight instead of making a safe decision to turn back. It is a lesson, please everyone, never let any pressure influence a safe procedure.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for sharing your feedback.

[@camilamontoya6537]

True

[@paulymac5513]

Breaks my heart. Well isn't the big advantage of helicopters over airplanes is that you can land it almost anywhere there is a nice open flat piece of ground? Land it! So you'll be a little late, big deal, they'll be alive to tell the funny story to their grand kids one day.

[@HelicopterGround]

Pauly Mac exactly right!

[@denisewynn2971]

I will never get in a helicopter.

[@lordofthewoods]

@ Pauly: Even THAT is easier said than done once you lose visibility. And just a moderately hard landing can result in fatalities.

[@Minimal444]

Helicopters are not safer than airplanes no way in hell. Once you lose control of helicopter or the only engine is off you fucked almost instantly. Where if even all 4 engines of airplane go off you can still glide it and safely land. From 10000 metres you still have like an hour of gliding and will able to fly like 150 miles before landing easily find and airport or highway to land nearby most of the time.

[@sailsailsailsailsail]

You’re not hovering in pure IMC. If you can you have a helicopter, systems and the training to fly in IMC anyway. But yes if he could see the ground or have some reference he might have been able land or get low enough to safely crash it. I don’t even know if there are any civilian helicopters that have auto pilots that will hover or fly less than 30 knots. Even then can that R44 out of ground effect hover with four people and full fuel?

[@reabbotted]

Can someone explain what was happening just before the crash? It seems helicopter was banking hard to the right and the pilot was leaning left. Does this happen because the pilot gets disoriented and can't tell which way is up anymore? And is the alarm warning of terrain or stall? I've seen these videos of people going into IMC and ultimately crash because the plane breaks apart. But what causes that to happen?

[@HelicopterGround]

Yes it's called spatial disorientation. Pilot loses control when he can't see. Horn is low rpm warning.

[@kyleparish5775]

I watched that video during my Instrument and made my students watch it. It's the sad reality what can happen and there is alot to take away from this sad video

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting Kyle!

[@tysoncott7402]

I’ve watched this video many times and still cant grasp what the pilot was thinking, he had all the time in the world to abort the mission & live to fly another day.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@Okie-00-Spool]

I assume he thought it wouldn't get as bad as it did. Maybe he has squeaked by before.

[@mikewing4018]

I was an ultralight pilot for years and flew a Cessna your videos have give me more info than I had I flew to work in a Lama every morning we were told constantly about safety Evan a pair of sunglasses coming off and pos hitting the totters

[@mikewing4018]

Sorry I meant Rotter blades can kill thank you Mike sorry for totters

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@cshamm]

Kenny this is EXTREMELY SAD, but it is of paramount importance to LAND AND LIVE! It is really good that you showed this video which I had already seen many times. As sad as it is, it is probably the best 1st person view of the worst inadvertent IMC video ever. It honestly would make people hesitant to even fly with a pilot they don't know. Makes me want to have a verbal agreement with a pilot next time I go up that "If you even get close to IMC or even SNIFF IMC, you land and we live..... agreed?" Think about that for a second.... this stupid pilot was the only one that could save any of those people and that moron flew them to their deaths when ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS LAND THE GD THING. Sorry man, but I see this video and think about how powerless they are. Oh and BTW, the woman in the front was 6 months pregnant, so we can actually count this as FIVE (5) PEOPLE DEAD because of this idiot.

[@HelicopterGround]

It is very sad thanks for the feedback!

[@paulwillis9603]

Hi Kenny... Thank you for this completely insightful video.... I’m sure this pilot would have been under some sort of company pressure to fly this charter but that doesn’t excuse the fact, that within 3 to 4 minutes of leaving the ground at what looks like an airfield, he was in IMC...... He could’ve, should’ve made a decision to return much sooner or landed rather than pushing on.... For a student pilot like myself, this has been a real eye opener and a huge lesson.... Be safe not Sorry... Thanks again Paul

[@HelicopterGround]

Paul Willis thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@danepatterson8107]

Is it a requirement for a rotary wing AC pilot to pass any IFR proficiency test before flying commercially? Is it a requirement that if you file a VFR flight path that you do not switch to IFR controls? I'm curious especially in the case of the SOCAL crash involving Kobe Bryant

[@HelicopterGround]

You don't need Instrument Rating to get a Commercial Helicopter Rating. However certain commercial jobs require it! To go IFR you must be current and legal to do so. Kobe flight should have never left the ground. Search and Rescue were not flying neither was Law Enforcement.

[@daveblevins3322]

Happened to me one day back in the Gulf of Mexico (mid 80's), and I landed at an unmanned platform. Told dispatch to send me a boat. Secured my aircraft, took the boat in, and lived to fly another day. It was common to deal with fog obviously in the cooler times when temps & dewpoints were close together, but you gotta know the area, and your limits.

[@HelicopterGround]

Great feedback thanks for sharing!

[@56hueycobra]

Thank You 🙏 Kenny With a Really Eye Opening Video Of Those Four People 🚁😎🚁

[@HelicopterGround]

Bennie Mabe thanks man!

[@saucepanclangerclub2035]

What do the instruments show the pilot in this scenario, and how should he use available gauges for reference when there is no distant visibility?

[@HelicopterGround]

A pilot properly trained and legal to do so can fly solely with instruments.

[@JordaoHPilot]

Sadly this horrible accident happened December 2016 in São Paulo, Brazil. The Bride in the back and her brother next to her, was suppose to make a surprise to the Groom, because he didn’t know anything about the Helicopter arrival. That was devastated for him and the 300 guests. I am from São Paulo, but I live in US for the past 20 years.. Currently in Hawaii in a part 141 school. We talk about those kind situation almost everyday. I watched this video a few times before. Did anybody noticed the trim strings came down a few seconds before he started to spinning? It looks like it was settling with power. I might be wrong. Anyways a horrible tragedy , Thanks for sharing Kenny.

[@HelicopterGround]

Jordao H. Pilot thanks for sharing!

[@blaquentgruppe6547]

He did hit power wires

[@ikefork2606]

Was this flight the equivalent of a Part 91 revenue flight in the US? In other words the operation was not subject to regulatory oversight and operations manual?

[@HelicopterGround]

Would appear to be what is considered 135

[@April-rj8lf]

Somewhat unrelated, but a friend of mine got into a car accident on an icy road just as the sun was coming up. I told him to wait an hour and it would be safer. The roads were melted by time the tow truck got there. It wasn't even an hour. Sometimes a little waiting is good.

[@HelicopterGround]

Yes absolutely thanks for commenting!

[@Defender78]

I'm sure there was Go-fever Involved in the situation, and any worries about whether or arrival time were muted by the good cheer and happiness of the wedding day. Therefore safety matters were put to the back burner as to not disrupt plans. I recall reading a story about this incident and the plan was for the bride and her brother to land by copter and surprise the groom and guests. But safety has to come first whether you’re flying a copter or cooking eggs.

[@HelicopterGround]

Exactly! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnhill8529]

I’m a 17500 hour ATPL/H, I’d ask who was this guy’s Chief Pilot? Who approved him flying? Who mentored him, or even checked what he was doing? The pressure on a pilot flying a wedding can be horrendous, it’s not a job for an inexperienced pilot. His CP should have checked the weather and briefed with him. The pilot’s failure is one thing, the company’s failures are probably worse. I’ve been a CP for 20 years, inexperienced pilots have a thorough brief with either me or a trainer before flying for their first year, they can ask for one, or I might do a brief on a tricky day any time after that. The Ops team work with me to pair pilots with tasks, sometimes we’ll send a new guy with an old hand for the experience he’ll gain. I’m wondering how effective his TEM, if any, was.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@Halakah7]

As a non-pilot I never realized just how dangerous IFR helicopter flying was until watching this video, hopefully this video will save some lives by educating those who fly and ride on a daily basis...

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@EvilDeathFx]

Are there onboard instruments that tell you altitude? How does the ground magically sneak up??

[@Redpillliving]

right, wtf they can only fly visually, they dont know how to read the instruments likely.

[@HelicopterGround]

He lost control when he could no longer see and lost control of the aircraft!

[@didsomebodysaydmt8193]

Question. I can remember flying many times offshore to rigs in the Gulf of Mexico where you couldn't see anything at all until the pilot landed squarely on the helipad. Is it because it's over water and really no terrain to deal with? I mean it was really quite freaky to be going down not being able to see the water and all of a sudden you just see a big H and boom we land on a rig you literally could not see until like 100ft above it. Also this was in the early 90s when I'm sure there was much less technology than today.

[@HelicopterGround]

Great question. Flying over water has attributed to many pilots crashing because there are no lights on the water and it is relaively featureless. It can be like flying over a black abyss. Thanks for the comment.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

This is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. A beautiful bride, a happy groom; they had no idea the most wonderful day in their lives would be their last. I can’t even imagine what the parents, other family, and the rest of the wedding party felt when they learned of this after the helicopter was overdue in arrival - that sinking feeling in their gut.. cold sweat.. omg I can’t even begin to imagine. RIP all.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@vivida7160]

I have to say that, as others have mentioned, that was the bride's brother sitting next to the bride, and the groom was waiting at the wedding venue unaware that they were travelling by helicopter. The bride planned her arrival by helicopter as a surprise for him and most of the wedding guests according to Brazilian news. The wedding guests had heard that a small aircraft crashed nearby while they were waiting but assumed that it was somebody else's flight. So it was even more of a shock when they, including the groom, were later told that it was the bride and her brother that were in that crash and got killed. It was very tragic... I assume the fact that the helicopter arrival was supposed to be a surprise event as part of the bride's big day contributed to the pilot's decision to fly on. It probably wasn't just because he thought the bride would be late, but because the whole surprise would be ruined.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

Vivid A • Thanks for the correction.. even that more sad because the groom, on his wedding day, the happiest day of his life, had to go in mourning for his lost love. That is so very tragic.

[@freediverhd]

Serious question: If you really cannot see, would it be possible to just use ur phone and Google maps to see your position, and fly to the nearest safe place and land?

[@HelicopterGround]

Not as a VFR pilot that has to look outside to maintain orientation.

[@PRH123]

Stupid question, what does the horn indicate..? Engine failure..?

[@HelicopterGround]

Low Rotor RPM.

[@PRH123]

@@HelicopterGround Thanks! Can I risk another stupid question? Why might the rotor speed have dropped in relation to the flight into IMC? was he trying too hard to climb at that moment, ie too much collective?

[@Muskoheim]

@Helicopter Online Ground School: I'd advise not just pasting 'Thanks for commenting.' into every comment thread. There are opportunities to have meaningful interactions in the comments with people who aren't familiar with helicopters. Nearly every comment below is tagged that you have replied. A brief search shows me that many of the people commenting have little understanding about the basics of helicopter capabilities, ADM, advantages helicopters have over airplanes in worsening weather, etc. IMHO, you'd do better to drill down, clarify, and correct misconceptions in a few comments that have your reply stamp rather than stamping all comments with a 'thanks'. My opinion FWIW. Also, thanks for the content. You're doing worthwhile work, sir.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[@bluegoka]

The occupants were: pilot, bride, bride’s brother and pregnant photographer.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@donaldreach760]

Yes, Kenny, the dew point spread should be a critical factor in deciding whether to fly or not. Thank you, Liuz, for the update. What a shame. Here in Michigan, we had a recent crash of a TBM 750 killing 6; due to a weight and balance being beyond the envelope and the pilot not computing a safe minimum controllability stall speed. Dumb!

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting

[@jeffmiller2594]

Any information on the Kauai helo crash Dec 26 2019. What do you think, similar conditions?

[@HelicopterGround]

Yes.

[@amueller585]

I skipped around the video a little bit but what caused the crash?

[@HelicopterGround]

Spatial Disorientation.

[@amueller585]

Helicopter Online Ground School thanks

[@damienmilk3025]

It made me sick to watch this, it is so sad one stupid mistake killed all on board. I have flown fixed wing for more than 40 years and i am still scared of cloud, and NOT afraid to admit it.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you for sharing Damien!

[@timsolis4706]

It looked like it stalled. Did the rotor blades stop.

[@HelicopterGround]

When the blades stall they stop!

[@timsolis4706]

@@HelicopterGround so the Rotor blades stopped and there was a engine problem

[@stuartmcleod945]

How ironic I came across this after Coby Crash in Fog ? ........why why why ?

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you for commenting.

[@alexbabiuc8826]

Not ironic. KZbin algorithm.

[@christopherpardell4418]

Wait... the guy HAD the stripey thingies on BOTH shoulders! I don’t see how they did not keep the chopper aloft thru sheer symbolism of competence.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@sjb610]

kinda shows how much those things mean eh? 0

[@adrians.7489]

I've flown (as a passenger) in very thick cloud coverage in high altitude helicopters to access heliskiing spots. The last one was Nelson British columbia just 1 hour after we heard about Kobe's crash. Let's say it was a bit nerve racking. You can literally hear the blades making a thumping sound as it hits the thick mist.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@yogihaughton]

A helicopter flew over my house the other day in thick cloud. So helicopters are not meant to fly in fog/thick cloud?

[@HelicopterGround]

Only if your trained, in a aircraft equipped, and legal and current to do so!

[@cyberknife82]

Can someone tell me why the signal came out and the helicopter seemed to just fall out of the air?

[@HelicopterGround]

Low rpm horn then he lost control.

[@NCJsport]

About 15 years back, a woman i dated and myself went with a friend on a Bell heli ride and in about 5 minutes was also surrounded by intense fog. After 2-3 minutes of blind flight my friend got paranoid and raised the collective fully. After a minute or so and reaching 4 thousand ft raised above the cloud layer, but wasn't possible to descend. He did a last ditch effort not to crash it after hearing ground warning indicators. After quick discussion with ground personnel, it was best to park it the next county over.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@firedavin]

When he mentions we’re about to hear that low horn go off. is he talking about altitude alarm on the helicopter? Does the helicopter know how close it is to the ground? I know there’s instruments in there you can read but is the helicopter aware of the altitude?

[@MrBrowne86]

It’s in reference to the low rotor rpm horn. Essentially if the blades aren’t going fast enough to produce lift. Basically stalling the main rotor.

[@HelicopterGround]

Yes low rotor horn. Unlikely that this helicopter had a radar altimeter.

[@stnlong73]

Spent two years in a helicopter (H34) anti-sub squadron with 8 months total aboard a carrier and one big flight advantage was that there were a pilot and copilot of the four crew members. I had confidence in the pilots due to their training. We had no mishaps. It could be that a qualified second pair of eyes with the Kobe flight might have made the difference owing to preflight info.

[@HelicopterGround]

Sure. However making a No Go Decision due to bad weather would have worked even better!

[@stnlong73]

@@HelicopterGround You are absolutely correct but only if John Wayne Airport was shutdown, a No Go in this case was going to happen. Question: On the H34, I was to understand that at landing one front wheel only was to touch down first and then the other two due to a resonant frequency applied to the copter if landing on all three and a possible shaking apart. Is this true on all copters?

[@uralbob1]

Were those green lines agricultural row crops? He had tons of time, I agree.

[@HelicopterGround]

I believe they are

[@crypttonite]

in a car on the ground when u hit a thick fog, it becomes no go instantly

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@jeanmason4395]

Yessss!! Or be engulfed in dust!! Blinded in both conditions!!

[@benskoropada3030]

I usually just slow down to a crawl but in an aircraft that can be more of a fall.

[@crypttonite]

this was a fall, copters cannot f,y 160mph plus...unless the destination is upcoming & left, he thought he was moving forward & level, banking heavy to left & then gravity took over

[@origin-al9585]

That BEAUTIFUL BRIDE WAS SO CALM. RIP TO ALL OF THEM!!

[@HelicopterGround]

Very sad indeed.

[@Bkytrmpt]

Sad to watch that and seen video it before.... happened in foreign country where flight training not as good as USA...I believe that was a factor....he should have trusted instincts and swallowed pride and ended flight as it turned ugly by the minute.

[@HelicopterGround]

Bruce Miller thanks for sharing!

[@Armc31416]

The problem in Brazil is not poor flight training, we have excellent schools here, but... the industry is a different story. Pilots that are beginning in the career often times are pressured to have the job done, regardless of how stupid it is. Between 2014-2018 the helicopter transportation industry in Brazil was hit by a huge recession, leaving a trail of pilot unemployment and dire work conditions for many of those who could afford a job. Unfortunately, when the crisis hits the pocket, safety usually becomes overlooked. Very sad indeed.

[@AUmarcus]

Really?

[@blaquentgruppe6547]

Can find many in AMERICA

[@hykeempage3358]

@@Armc31416 Cant spend the cash if u dead ! Very sad!!

[@michaelinraleigh]

Not knowing helicopters what actually happened? Did he stall the aircraft or was it controlled flight into terrain?

[@HelicopterGround]

Lost visual reference then crashed into the ground.

[@ronaldo101000]

But why would the fog caused the helicopter to shut down. It sound like engine failure? No? Plse why would fog cause the noises?

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@mealz0076]

I think something else made them crash as well...6:01-6:10 in video!?..what was in the clouds? Or was that just an illusion?

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@paulwashington1287]

What made them crash???

[@HelicopterGround]

Pilot lost visual reference.

[@paulwashington1287]

@@HelicopterGround but cant th pilot tell he was goin that low?

[@margosantucci1762]

Since I’ve been watching KZbin I view a lot of flight channels and I see how many planes go down I will never ever fly again.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@jamesfloyd1864]

I've been doing the same thing and have reached the same conclusion. I ran equipment all my life, and I've never seen a piece of machinery that at one point or another just just stopped or failed. If that happens at 35,000feet, you can put your head between your legs and kiss.....................goodbye.

[@blister6884]

Without a doubt this is one of the most important clips you’ve done - we’ve all pushed the boundaries and most of us have been lucky to get out of it. Knowing what to do in IIMC and doing it, isn’t good airmanship - it’s just shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. The fix wing community always have an amusing jibe at our expense, but when they get into IIMC you can bet they wish they could pick somewhere to land as easily as we Heli pilots can! So why don’t more of us use this advantage more often? More covid lockdown time for us here in the uk, so keep ‘em coming Kenny - you’re a great help to all of us, regardless of hours in the log book!👍👍

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting

[@jhouse770]

Please don’t worry that your viewers will be off put by a video you want to share...we come here to learn and not make personal judgements. We need to see videos like this and get your narrative to fully understand it.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thank you Jay I appreciate that very much!

[@richardernsberger5692]

You wouldn't say this if you were a parent or relative of one of the people killed in this crash. The video shouldn't be on KZbin. It is instructive, I'll acknowledge, in showing how the weather quickly went from acceptable to iffy to very bad in a matter of a few minutes, but what parents or relatives want the knowledge that thousands of people are gawking at their loved ones in the last couple of minutes of their lives?

[@thejuiced1_]

“There are old pilots and there are bold pilots. But there are no old bold pilots.”

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@DoWork316]

Valuable lesson.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@williamlacombe8958]

Just wondering why if your surrounded by fog and can't see anything why can't they simply fly higher than any known mountains ,hills buildings etc in the area and wait for a clear view of the ground .

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@RichsRantMMAofficialchannel]

The groom was waiting for the bride to arrive. He had no idea she was on the helicopter. The man in the back was the brides brother. The lady in the front was a photographer and she was 6 months pregnant. 😔

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@adamblister6005]

But did this chopper hit something while in the mist? How did it just come down?

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting

[@AUmarcus]

My guess is he got disorientated without any visual resets in the mist, lost control and went down.

[@adamblister6005]

@@AUmarcus How do you lose control?

[@AUmarcus]

@@adamblister6005 Because you are making inputs on the controls based on spatial disorientation in fog/cloud ie. guesswork and not visual cues on the ground....its pretty much flying blind and soon enough you will make a wrong input....zig instead of zag.

[@adamblister6005]

@@AUmarcus Interesting. Can't believe the pilot didn't plan for the weather.

[@russelllowry1061]

As an instrument rated pilot I can tell you, don't leave home without your IFR ticket. And just like driving a car on a fogged in highway, sometimes you just can't travel period. Live to travel another day. Even with my instrument rating, I have spent extra nights away from home because of weather. The IFR ticket doesn't;t protect you from icing, thunderstorms, or zero visibility on the ground.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for sharing Russell!

[@chenellebeautytv]

Question, can the passengers get disoriented as well?

[@HelicopterGround]

Sure.

[@richrdlewis6278]

What caused this crash? Surly he could have lowered that heli with instruments or am I missing something, did they hit a mountain or something?

[@HelicopterGround]

First, he should have landed before entering clouds. When he did enter, he should have focused on instruments, claimed an emergency and asked for help from ATC

[@GrafDevelopments]

Why didn't he just stop and hovered while contacting a tower or his office? Couldn't someone have seen him on radar and helped him get his bearings? Am I off with that?

[@GrafDevelopments]

Or maybe stop forward motion, spin around 180 degrees while maintaining his current altitude, then head back in the direction from where he came.

[@ddtddt8493]

Bruce Graf I personally would not have turned around, if you can’t see going one way likely you can’t see going the other. One way only. DOWN. My commanders always said better to be on the ground wishing to be in the air than the opposite.

[@HelicopterGround]

Bruce Graf he should have just landed before it got that bad!

[@GrafDevelopments]

Helicopter Online Ground School Of course, that’s a given. I’m talking about once he realized he was in trouble and had gone too far. Then, how should he have handled it from that point.?

[@carlosclavijo7135]

Bruce Graf the handling it is very simple when flying a non instrument rated helicopter specially under such conditions, you don’t wait until it gets that bad Just land.

[@readmore3634]

When I was in my 20's my uncle (retired AF Colonel) gave me the stick all the time. Said : "Never fly in bad weather unless you HAVE to." When taking lessons my CFI said "Eyes out the window about 30% and on the instruments about 70%". (something like that) He purposely put me in the clouds one day...couldn't see anything but my instruments. So, I maintained elevation, speed, attitude and gently turned 180 degrees to fly back where I had already been.... out of the clouds. Simple enough. Too bad they don't make a "You're being an idiot" gauge. This one would of been pegged!

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for sharing!

[@knarftrakiul3881]

Just look at horizon indicator and altimeter keep it level and higher than terrain on their chart.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@theendofanerror4173]

Just to be clear, you said he's flying blind in a VFR helicopter. Are you saying he's flying a helicopter that does not have the proper instrumentation he would have to rely on to fly in when the visibility is as bad as it was in the video?!

[@HelicopterGround]

Smaller helicopters as in this case are normally not approved for IFR flight.

[@Gus1966-c9o]

The two people in the back were brother and sister .

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@Snack_Package]

Did he say people walk into the tail rotor?

[@HelicopterGround]

It can and does happen.

[@loupcityairservice9740]

We kill to many people in EMS because of this . The FAR’s let us fly and whether that is basically IFR and doing this at night is crazy. We have to many people wanting to be the hero and will go and Med crews thinking they know weather better then pilots because they haven’t flown for two weeks. Most helicopters have no autopilot and A Star’s are unstable and have no trim . I could write a book about flying into bad weather doing EMS . Point I want to make I can fly a helicopter with only 1/4 mile of visibility but I can only go 2 miles an hour. So in EMS if you cannot fly at the max cruise speed of your helicopter then the ground ambulance is faster and better for everyone

[@ddtddt8493]

Agree 101pct. Usually EMS is trying to save one life...but you can’t jeopardize three more to get a job done and if thing go south have 4 casualties... if I can help I will but not when further casualties are at too high a risk.

[@HelicopterGround]

Loup City Air Service thanks for sharing!

[@danadavis8333]

Tragic 😔, But Thank You this was very informative, ...I shared it.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@freddiet6807]

Here from the Kobe accident, just trying to make sense of everything

[@HelicopterGround]

Please visit www.HelicopterGround.com

[@BretAllenStudios]

Kobe’s pilot was a moron. Plain and simple. Allowing his high profile client to force a bad situation. He did an emergency climb into IMC and lost control. Should never have put himself or his passengers in that position period.

[@Ian-eb6ou]

@@BretAllenStudios you have no idea anyone pushed him. You weren't there so stop with the nonsense pointing fingers.

[@toomuch4em]

@@BretAllenStudios Why do you think Kobe forced him into the situation? The Pilot was 100% in charge and knew damn well he shouldnt have flown those people. I highly doubt Kobe would have put his daughter and two kids from his team in danger.

[@creedlang419]

@@toomuch4em because hes a freakin KZbin moron making up scenarios

[@tonymerlot9305]

Did they hit higher mountains or what..

[@HelicopterGround]

No he lost complete control of the aircraft and hit terrain.

[@darkprose]

If this video can make even a single pilot more cautious about flying towards potentially dangerous conditions-especially when there is strong social pressure or obligations to begin and complete the flight-then it is worth sharing.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.

[@michaelpartida5155]

How did he lose his bearings?

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting

[@The_Burning_Sensation]

What happened, exactly? I see the attitude indicator shows him rolling hard to the right... but why the low RPM horn?

[@HelicopterGround]

He lost control of the aircraft when he lost visibility.

[@patrickmayer9566]

Tnx, for this,,,,tells it like it is.......terrible to see this a few years ago...why not land.?....did the pilot in mr.Bryant chopper loss level while in the soup,roll it and fall to the left.......going slow and climbing,and roll,gaining speed,loosing lift,....i.m.o.....sad.to think................sad.

[@HelicopterGround]

Thanks for commenting.