The crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others a week ago today, made me think of two similar accidents. John Kennedy Junior’s fatal flight in 1999, and his uncle, Ted Kennedy’s, in 1964, en route to Springfield, Massachusetts to accept the nomination for the U.S. Senate.
His pilot, Edwin Zinny, told him the weather was bad, and they shouldn’t take off, but Kennedy insisted, the plane crashing into an orchard, killing Zinny and Edward Moss, Kennedy’s legislative assistant. He himself escaped alive, but with a collapsed lung and three broken vertebrae, hospitalized, forced to lie on his stomach strapped to a board, for five months.
Cut to, thirty-five years later, his nephew in similar circumstances, being warned not to fly his Piper Saratoga in foggy weather, but like his uncle, ignored the warnings, but unlike his uncle, didn’t survive, taking his wife and her sister with him.
Remnants of JFK Jr.’s plane.
17 Dec 1964, Southampton, Massachusetts, USA — The remains of a small plane that crashed in the fog near Southampton, Massachusetts. Senator Edward Kennedy was seriously injured in the accident, and two others on board were killed. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
What does this have to do with Kobe Bryant’s accident? I’m thinking, Kobe too, might have been warned by his pilot, Ara Zobayan, against flying in foggy conditions, but also may have insisted. Why else would a seasoned pilot make such an error, crashing into a hillside, killing himself along with eight others on board?
Is hubris the cause?
We all know the Kennedys are famous for it, the old, the rules just don’t apply to us, but what about Mr. Bryant, was he a little like that too?
It’s already been a week since Kobe, his thirteen year-old daughter, Gianna, along with seven of their comrades, had their lights put out like candles in the sky, a humble reminder how quickly life can end, for whatever reason.
I just hate to think, it could have been avoided, if sounder judgements had prevailed. 
SB
Interesting to think about the roles of confidence in life. The praise of confidence getting us through a seemingly difficult journey vs. the downside confidence brings situations like this.
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I’ve been thinking a lot about it. It’s such a shame. He was only 41. His daughter just embarking on her life. There were two other kids? If only they hadn’t flown. I know, it’s moot, but you can’t help wishing it were so. Thanks for reading my thoughts on paper.
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We can apply that to any decision point in life. After all, there are physicists who will tell us that there is a parallel universe where they didn’t get on the plane. That thought is beyond my realm.
Already completed your morning run?
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It’s pouring here, so I didn’t. My addict said, hey, go get drenched, go on. But the recovered part of me who said, take the day off, you run every day, won. Love the word…realm.
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Love the duality of your statement. So now I have a mental picture of rain on the others side of the window where you stand – and the busts of the men mounted on the wall. That’s quite the picture!
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I’m a real interior decorator alright…:)
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That image seemed perfect for a movie.
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You’re sweet Frank. My writer is beaming.
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On top of everything else, the helicopter was designed to be flown with two pilots. I can just imagine under visual flight rules, getting disoriented and then having to do all the work of two. That hard bank into the hill leads me to believe there was too much to do and not enough resources. In any case, like the other two examples you gave, it comes down to pilot error. One wishes it never happened.
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I wasn’t aware they’re should have been two pilots. Then why was there only one? Has anyone said? I just got such a chill John. Like they really were flying without a net.
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It seems there are two sides to confidence and a fine line between. Sad when young people die. Can’t help but wonder what the world will miss out on without them.
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A poignant point. I can’t imagine what it was like. Did they know? Was it as if the channel just changed as they crossed to the ether? Ghoulish thoughts. Forgive me.
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I don’t think those are ghoulish thoughts.I think we all wonder what happens at the end…what we feel, think, hear, see.
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Like I said in another comment, I hope it was fast. I just can’t imagine. Thanks.
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When I learned about the heavy fog and low lying clouds, and that the pilot should not have been flying, I thought back to that July night in 1999. Dammit for hubris.
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I feel there’s a piece missing. A friend said, Kolbe might have said, he needed to get there and the pilot just wanted to be the hero. We’ll just never know. Just hope it was quick. Sigh.
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It did make me think about that horrible Saturday morning when the news was all about John’s missing plane. It was an odd emotion of overwhelming grief, complete disbelief and even a little bit of anger and frustration.
I believed the kid was going to run for office, and I still do. Dammit.
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It was on my birthday when the garment bag washed up on shore. I knew though, there was no way he was just going to show up, dazzling us one more time. It was the only time I really liked Clinton, who pulled out the stops trying to find him, and was vastly criticized for it. He gave a live statement saying, it was his decision, and his alone. There was no one else to blame. He felt, John Kennedy’s only son was worth every effort to be rescued. I really loved him for that.
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I agree with you on Clinton’s decision. This wasn’t about hero worshiping, it was about our nation’s history. And I have to believe that Bill, like all of us, was hoping against hope as the hours kept telling us how this was going to end.
I once dreamed that he was alive and running for President. Dammit.
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Really. Maybe he is, in the ether.
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My father was a Boeing test pilot. He knew when to push the envelope and when not to. When flying privately, often with me and the rest of my family, he frequently cancelled plans or we stayed someplace a day or two longer because of poor weather. He always cautioned against impatience. Too many private pilots push when they shouldn’t, or succumb to the pressures of others to get someplace now when they should wait. (My father always said doctors made the worst private pilots because they had a touch of omnipotence, could afford airplanes, and often flew when they shouldn’t, killing themselves and their families/passengers.) Ultimately, it’s the pilot’s call and if they’re not comfortable with conditions, they should say “no” regardless of the passenger’s desire to go. Many such sad tragedies could be averted.
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Thank you for contributing this. It made the piece stronger.
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It’s funny, Susannah… I was thinking the same thing. JFK Jr was his own pilot so not much we can say but in the other two cases, why did the pilots not refuse to fly. It’s not safe, you wanna go out? It ain’t gonna be me flying your rig. Fire me. I cherish my life more than the paycheque.
Such a waste of life. Kobe Bryant has left three orphans because why? How urgent was it to get to where they were going? I have to agree with you. Hubris has to have played a big part.
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It’s a favorite word of mine since it says everything in 5 letters representing its sisters. Arrogance, entitlement, pride, gaul. It’s the perfect word to describe our engaging, fun loving, Commander-in Chief.
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It’s a great word. Had to use it in a prompt just over a month ago… Quite a few participants used it for your “wonderful” Prez…
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Yeah, should have a tattoo, right across his heart where you Pledge Allegiance to the Flag. Sigh
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Now that’s an idea!!
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I’ll write my congressman and suggest it. 🙂
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Good luck with that!
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I know. They’re a dog and pony show, that Congress of ours
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It is quite the thing to witness from over here…
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I know. Was just scanning AOL News. There he was clapping for the winning team. What about our team? The country’s. I can’t get over the venom between him and Bloomberg, Mike getting down in the dirt. Wish he hadn’t, but I guess, enough’s enough. Trump has been so insulting to him setting an all time low for bad presidential behavior. He’s like a bully in a school yard. I’m going out to run, rid myself of this early morning angst. Have a good day.
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It’s a sad state of affairs. And yes, Ttump is the biggest bully.
Enjoy your run!
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I’m back. Always a grace to be out there. A little warmer here. Have a good day. No matter what. 👍
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Just arrived at my brother-in-law’s school, helping out during exam periods. So early day, for me!
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Have some coffee. First thing I troll for. My new drug of choice. Nice you’re helping. I read a passage from the Talmud in regards to God…He comes in all our kindness…he comes in all our joys. Loved that.
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Oh, fear not… Coffee first thing if I wanna be functional!!
It’s interesting to do this scripting for these kids with various issues. Not allowed to help (so hard) other than to read the exam and write what they say.
That is a beautiful passage.
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You’d be surprised how just your presence will uplift them. God is in the details remember.
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Sometimes these kids even say thank you! 😉
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Wonders never cease. 🙂
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I wouldn’t have put those pieces together, but you did it beautifully.
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History, even if it spans different decades, does tend to repeat itself. Thank you for reading it. It wasn’t one of my more read pieces.
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Good writing isn’t always appreciated. This post had impact! I won’t forget it.
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The info is interesting at least. The parallels. I always think, if God wanted us to fly, we’d all have our own wings, like hawks and eagles. Thanks, as always.
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I had a friend who used to always say, “You pay your moneys and takes your chances” (Sic).
I don’t really believe that as I think God or the Universe or the Force has something to say and put into it, too, however, I do guess we make our choices and then just go on. It’s all we can really do. I feel bad for anyone who has a loved one die and I also feel bad for anyone who has to make choices that could well lead to their own death. The Kennedys and Mr. Bryant will be remembered. That I am certain about.
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This is true, for better or worse. The pictures of KB and his daughter are so touching. The love between them. Sad, but they were together, so there is a comfort in that, if there is one.
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May they all rest in peace…no matter what. how or why.
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Poignantly said.
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From what I’ve read, planes were grounded by many surrounding agencies. It’s such a shame. He seemed like a genuinely nice person and family man. I pray his wife finds strength to get through this.
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And her 3 remaining daughters. Sigh
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