Kobe Bryant crash: NTSB releases 1,000-plus pages of documents

Kobe Bryant crash: NTSB releases 1,000-plus pages of documents

by Sean Emery, Tony Saavedra, Josh Cain, Scott Schwebke

The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday released 1,000-plus pages of documentation tied to the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others as part of a “public docket” that does not include conclusions regarding the cause.

The documentation released by investigators includes reports and interview transcripts but not the final findings that are expected to definitively determine what caused the aircraft traveling to a youth basketball tournament outside of Los Angeles on Jan. 26 to slam into a hillside.

The documentation is available here.

The release comes a month after a Los Angeles County coroner’s office report found that Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, pilot Ara Zobayan and the other occupants died of blunt-force trauma. That report also found that the helicopter pilot did not have alcohol or drugs in his system.

The full NTSB investigation could take up to 18 months to complete.

The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed 40 minutes after departing from John Wayne Airport, striking the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains amide thick fog, catching fire and killing everyone on board.

A preliminary NTSB report released several months ago noted that the engine did not appear to have failed.

Also killed in the crash were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Mamba Academy basketball coach Christina Mauser; as well as mother and daughter Sarah and Payton Chester.

Lawsuits against the helicopter company have been filed by Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, as well as the surviving family members of other passengers killed in the crash. The lawsuits have alleged the company, Island Express Helicopters, its parent company and the pilot were negligent in the operations and maintenance of the helicopter.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

All credit goes to Sean Emery, Tony Saavedra, Josh Cain, Scott Schwebke
Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com