Los Angeles, CA–Vanessa Bryant has filed a lawsuit against the company responsible for the helicopter that Bryant, along with their daughter Gigi, and seven others were killed on earlier this month.
The lawsuit alleges the helicopter company allowed Zobayan to fly in unsafe weather conditions. The Island Express Helicopter company suspended operations following the crash.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
The complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Fillmore-based Island Express Holding Corp. and Island Express Helicopters alleges that pilot Ara Zobayan, who also died in the crash in Calabasas, failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft” and was negligent.
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant married in 2001 and have four daughters together.
Bryant is represented by a firm for the case that specializes in helicopter crashes–Munger, Tolles & Olson as well as Robb & Robb, who are located in Kansas City.
According to reports, Zobayan was an instrument-rated pilot, which qualifies him to fly in foggy conditions. This requires training beyond standard private and commercial pilot requirements.
In 2015, Zobayan was cited by The Federal Aviation Administration for violating visual flight rules. The lawsuit filed by Bryant claims that adequate training, as well as supervision, was not provided to Zobayan following the incident.
Read More: Vanessa Bryant sues helicopter operator over crash that killed Kobe Bryant, eight others
