I remember exactly where I was the morning Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crashed.

I was at the Pomona Mining Company for my uncle’s birthday, and even all the way out in Pomona, the sky looked low, gray, and unusually heavy. It had that thick Southern California marine layer that makes everything feel muted. Looking back, that whole morning had an eerie feel to it.

That is part of why MentourPilot’s new video on the crash hit me.

What I appreciated about it is that he did not treat it like gossip, clickbait, or conspiracy. He handled it with taste. Calm, professional, detailed, and respectful. He breaks down the weather, the flight conditions, and how a tragedy like that can happen even with an experienced pilot.

As someone who has always loved aviation, and as someone from Southern California, this one has always stayed with me a little differently. Not just because of who Kobe was to Los Angeles, but because that day had a feeling to it. A lot of us here remember that sky.

The biggest takeaway from the video is not drama. It is how quickly weather, pressure, and decision making can turn serious in the air. And hearing it explained that way makes the whole thing feel even more real.

Some stories stay with you because of who was lost. Others stay with you because you remember exactly where you were when the world changed a little. This one is both.