Vanessa Bryant urges lawmakers to pass helicopter safety bill named after Kobe

Kobe Bryant’s heartbroken widow called on Congress Thursday to pass a helicopter safety bill named after the NBA legend in the wake of his tragic chopper death, according to a report. Vanessa Bryant touted the proposed legislation — which would force choppers with six or more passengers to carry equipment such as a terrain awareness …

Kobe Bryant’s heartbroken widow called on Congress Thursday to pass a helicopter safety bill named after the NBA legend in the wake of his tragic chopper death, according to a report.

Vanessa Bryant touted the proposed legislation — which would force choppers with six or more passengers to carry equipment such as a terrain awareness system — saying it would “save lives,” according to CNN.

“I strongly urge that the United States Congress pass a federal law that would improve the safety of helicopters operating in this country,” said Bryant, who also lost her 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in the deadly crash.

“I believe there is a chance that Kobe and Gianna would still be alive today if their helicopter had been equipped with the safety equipment required by this pending federal legislation,” she said in a statement, according to the outlet.

Her comments came after Democratic lawmakers on Thursday introduced the bill, dubbed the “Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act,” which would also require helicopters carrying six or more people to have a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder.

In January, Kobe, 41, Gianna and six of their friends were killed in the crash as the chopper spiraled out of the sky amid foggy conditions.

Bryant said the stricter safety mandate will help prevent others from dying in similarly tragic situations.

“I believe that these safety measures will save many lives,” she said.

In February, Bryant filed a lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters, the firm responsible for the chopper crash,  alleging the pilot failed to safely operate the aircraft.