With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
NTSB Releases Latest Report On Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash
An image from the National Transportation Safety Board's report updating the investigation into the crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others on Jan. 26. (Courtesy of NTSB)
()
The engines were still running and the rotors were still spinning when the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant crashed into a foggy hillside near Calabasas on Jan. 26, killing him, his daughter Gianna, and seven others, according to the latest update from crash investigators.
Damage to the rotor blades and to nearby trees showed signs the helicopter was still under "powered rotation at the time of impact," according to the National Transportation Safety Board update released today. "One piece of 2-inch diameter tree branch was cut cleanly in 3 locations (similar to saw cuts) about 30 feet prior to the initial impact crater," the report reads.
Other details from the report:
- The helicopter was destroyed by "impact forces and fire."
- The helicopter came down in a mountain bike park located in the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains.
- The impact crater was 2 feet deep and 24 feet by 15 feet in diameter.
- The main wreckage, much of it burned in a postcrash fire, was about 127 feet away.
- The helicopter was not required to have a "black box" recorder and did not have one, though investigators are reviewing its flight management system, two flight control computers, and other instruments, in addition to "personal electronic devices" that were recovered.
READ THE FULL REPORT:
Support for LAist comes from
GO DEEPER:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist