Kylie Jenner Honors Pilot Who Flew Kobe Bryant’s Helicopter: 5 Facts About Ara Zobayan

Since the tragic accident in which Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, the information about the rest of the victims is being disclosed. Of the nine victims in the crash, one was the helicopter pilot, Ara Zobayan.

In her recent post, Kylie Jenner also talked about Ara Zobayan, revealing that in the past she had flown on the very private helicopter helmed by the deceased pilot that crashed and killed Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others. She added that she knew Ara Zoboyan and said he was such a nice man."

"I still can't believe this. That was the helicopter I would fly on from time to time with that pilot, Ara," Jenner said. "Rest in peace... and prayer to these families ... Hold your loved ones close," Jenner wrote.
Here are some facts about the 50-year-old pilot, Ara Zobayan:

1. During the crash, Ara was flying Kobe’s private helicopter

The aircraft involved in the crash was a Sikorsky S-76, with the registration N72EX- Kobe’s private helicopter. It was registered to Island Express Helicopters of Fillmore, California and was not previously involved in any incidents.

2. He was an instrument-rated pilot

As per the records, Ara was an “instrument-rated pilot” i.e., he was trained to fly in foggy conditions- something that is beyond the training a standard private pilot gets. He was also a certified flight instructor for instrument instruction for helicopter pilots.

3. Zobayan was particularly close to Bryant’s Family

“Working for the aviation business has allowed me to meet some pretty amazing people and pilots,” a friend of Zobayan shared “Ara was one of them. Always so nice, talkative and especially attentive when it came to Kobe and his family. I’m heartbroken.”

4. Ara was on an episode of “Celebrity Wife Swap”

In a July 2013 episode of Celebrity Wife Swap, he featured alongside Andy Dick and Lorenzo Lamas. “Tune into ABC this Sunday 8pm to see Ara and me fly Andy Dick’s baby momma around on Celebrity Wife Swap lol,” Lorenzo had written on Facebook.

5. He was described by his neighbors as being affable and mild-mannered

His neighbor, Robert Sapia, shared that Zobayan loved his job and would often show Sapia the pictures of all the celebs he had the fortune to fly around the world. "He was kind of a mild-mannered guy," shared Angie LaPorte, another neighbor of Zobayan. "Always pleasant but never super talkative."