2020 Calabasas helicopter crash
On January 26, 2020, a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed in the city of Calabasas, California, around 30 mi (48 km) northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, while en route from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport. All nine people on board were killed: retired professional basketball player Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, his daughter Alyssa, Payton Chester, her mother Sarah, basketball coach Christina Mauser, and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.
Investigators examining debris at the crash site the day after the accident
N72EX, the helicopter involved in the accident, in November 2018
Aerial view of Calabasas, roughly centered on crash site. The helicopter entered from the upper right corner of this image, curved around Van Nuys Airport, then attempted to follow the Ventura Freeway (US 101) in order to exit to the lower left corner.
A makeshift memorial was set up outside Staples Center shortly after Bryant's death
The Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size commercial utility helicopter designed and produced by the American helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. It is the company's first helicopter specifically developed for the civilian market.
Sikorsky S-76
An early production Sikorsky S-76A owned by Canadian Helicopters and used as an air ambulance
S-76A++ used for Search and Rescue at Royal Australian Air Force bases operated by CHC Helicopter
S-76C search and rescue helicopter operated by Norrlandsflyg
