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Kobe Bryant: Considered one of the best basketball players in history
Photo: LUCY NICHOLSON / REUTERS
About a year after the helicopter crash, in which Kobe Bryant was killed, among others, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that the pilot made a crucial mistake before the crash.
The pilot lost his orientation on January 26, 2020 in the clouds of the hilly area near Los Angeles.
It was forbidden by law to continue the visual flight into the clouds, but he did it anyway, said the chairman of the NTBS.
Shortly before the crash, the pilot told air traffic controllers that he was climbing up in his helicopter and that he had almost broken through the clouds.
In fact, however, the Sikorsky S-76B had tilted and sank.
Technical problems with the helicopter had previously been ruled out.
In addition to Bryant, his daughter Gianna, the pilot and six other people died in the crash.
The accident and the death of the 41-year-old athlete caused consternation worldwide.
Bryant's widow Vanessa has filed a lawsuit against the helicopter company.
Kobe Bryant is considered one of the best basketball players in history.
He played non-stop for the Los Angeles Lakers in the US basketball league NBA between 1996 and 2016 and set numerous records during this time.
Away from the square, however, there were also dark chapters.
In the summer of 2003, Bryant was arrested in Colorado on charges of sexual assault.
Bryant denied this but admitted to having committed adultery.
The lawsuit was later dropped because the plaintiff refused to testify.
Bryant apologized, a civil lawsuit resulted in an out-of-court settlement.
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bbr / dpa / AP