'NBA Legend' Kobe Bryant's Accident Helicopter Shows No Signs of Engine Failure

On the 28th of last month (local time), a large mural of former NBA player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna was painted at a basketball court in Taguig, southern Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] No signs of engine failure were found in the helicopter that NBA legend Kobe Bryant was aboard.

According to the New York Times and others on the 8th, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the cause of the accident, stated this in an initial report released on the 7th (local time).

The NTSB explained that after examining the "visibly accessible parts" of the helicopter's two engines found in the wreckage at the accident site, no signs of uncontrollable or significant internal failure were observed.

At the time of the accident on the 26th of last month, the helicopter was flying at a speed of 184 miles per hour (approximately 296 km/h) and was found to have crashed at a rate exceeding 4,000 feet per minute (about 1,200 m) after impact.

The helicopter was a Sikorsky S-76 model, most of which was destroyed by fire immediately following the crash.

The ground near the crash site, a hill near Calabasas, California, was found to be dug about 2 feet (approximately 61 cm). This area is typically restricted to aircraft operating by instruments only, as clouds are usually low and visibility is poor.

According to the report, pilot Ara Zobayan informed the control tower that he was attempting to climb to an altitude of 4,000 feet (about 1,220 m) to get the helicopter above the clouds just before the collision.

Afterward, the helicopter ascended to about 1,500 feet (approximately 457 m) and made a left turn, then crashed about 8 seconds later.

Meanwhile, all nine occupants, including Bryant and his 13-year-old second daughter Gianna, died in the accident.

They were on their way to a basketball game held at the Mamba Sports Academy, which Bryant had established in Thousand Oaks, California.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.