The Sikorsky S-76B was in a rapidly descending left turn when the pilot told air traffic control that he planned to climb to 4,000 ft above mean sea level (MSL); within seconds, the helicopter struck the ground, killing the pilot and his eight passengers, including basketball star Kobe Bryant.
Pressure From Within
The S-76 pilot likely did not want to disappoint the client, who had specifically requested his services, the NTSB says.