Helicopter Carrying Kobe Made Climbing Turn Before Rapid Dive

The air traffic controllers noted poor visibility around Burbank, just to the north, and Van Nuys, to the northwest. After holding up the helicopter for other aircraft, the controllers cleared the Sikorsky S-76 to proceed north along Interstate 5 through Burbank before turning west to follow U.S. Route 101, the Ventura Freeway, ESPN reports.

It was shortly after 9:40 a.m. that the helicopter turned again, toward the southeast, and climbed to more than 2,000 feet above sea level. After that, it descended and crashed into a hillside at about 1,400 feet, according to data from Flightradar24.

When it struck the ground, the helicopter was flying at about 161 knots (185 mph) and descending at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute (45 mph), according to data found by Flightradar24.

Authorities in the area said nine people were aboard the helicopter and presumed dead. Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players the NBA has ever seen, and his 13-year old daughter, Gianna, was among the victims.