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- Kobe Bryant was famous for using his Sikorsky S-76 private helicopter, a type which has a strong safety record
Kobe Bryant was famous for using his Sikorsky S-76 private helicopter, a type which has a strong safety record
NBA legend Kobe Bryant was reportedly killed on Sunday when his private helicopter crashed.
Bryant's private helicopter was a Sikorsky S-76, an aircraft type which first flew in 1977.
His specific helicopter — registration N72EX — was built in 1991. According to FAA records, it was owned by Island Express Holding Corporation, a private helicopter transport company. It was not immediately clear whether Bryant would charter the helicopter, or leased it full-time.
The S-76 was first designed as a medium-helicopter for corporate transportation, especially within the oil industry, where executives were traveling between land and off-shore drilling platforms.
The first Sikorsky helicopter was designed purely for commercial use, it nevertheless took design inspiration from the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter.
It's found a niche in numerous roles over the years, including medical transportation.
The helicopter Bryant was in was a S-76B variant, which was first introduced in 1987.
The S-76 features twin turboshaft engines which drive one four-bladed main rotor and a four-bladed tail rotor.
It's relatively larger and more complex than many other civilian helicopters — which has contributed to a strong safety record over its 40-plus years in service.
Its safety record has been largely attributed to its twin-turbine design, along with more rigorous training standards than some other civilian models, and the fact that it's frequently flown by two pilots, unlike most light helicopters.
Source: FlightSafety International
Still, there have been several prolific incidents, most recently a 2017 crash in Turkey, which appeared to be caused by a combination of poor visibility and pilot error.
The S-76 has been a successful helicopter for corporate and VIP transportation. Its large cabin is especially geared towards comfortable configurations, and coupled with its relative safety and strong performance parameters. Even Queen Elizabeth II has been flown in a Sikorsky S-76.
It was not immediately clear what caused Bryant's helicopter to crash.
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