Rotorcraft
Congressman Seeks To Mandate HTAWS
Long-time helicopter critic seeks to mandate HTAWS in the wake of Kobe Bryant crash.

Less than a week after the January 26 crash that killed basketball star Kobe Bryant and eight others, long-time aviation industry critic, California Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Thousand Oaks), introduced legislation to mandate terrain awareness and warning systems (TAWS) on all helicopters. In a press release accompanying the announcement of the “Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act,” Sherman declares, “Had this [TAWS] system been on the [accident] helicopter, it is likely the tragic crash could have been avoided.” The press release does not cite evidence for this claim.