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FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2020, file photo, the jerseys of late Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, right, and his daughter Gianna are draped on the seats the two last sat on at Staples Center, prior to the Lakers' NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles. A person with knowledge of the details says a public memorial service for Bryant, his daughter and seven others killed in a helicopter crash is planned for Feb. 24 at Staples Center. The Los Angeles arena is where Bryant starred for the Lakers for most of his two-decade career. The date corresponds with the jersey numbers he and 13-year-old daughter Gianna wore, 24 for him and 2 for her. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2020, file photo, the jerseys of late Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, right, and his daughter Gianna are draped on the seats the two last sat on at Staples Center, prior to the Lakers' NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles. A person with knowledge of the details says a public memorial service for Bryant, his daughter and seven others killed in a helicopter crash is planned for Feb. 24 at Staples Center. The Los Angeles arena is where Bryant starred for the Lakers for most of his two-decade career. The date corresponds with the jersey numbers he and 13-year-old daughter Gianna wore, 24 for him and 2 for her. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

NTSB: Kobe Bryant's Helicopter Didn't Show Outward Evidence of Engine Failure

Scott PolacekFeb 7, 2020

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26 and said it didn't find any visible evidence of an engine failure.ย 

Stefanie Dazio of the Associated Press reported on the NTSB's update Friday, noting the final report of its investigation is not expected to be released for at least a year.

Investigators said there was physical evidence that suggestedย the rotors were turning and engines were working at the time of the crash, includingย a cut tree branch at the crash site and compressor blades which curled in the direction opposite rotation which is "consistent with powered rotation at the time of impact."

While the long-term investigation will determine if fog orย other factorsย played a role in the crash, Friday's update from the NTSB was informational and did not delve into possible causes.

The updated noted the flight controls were broken and damaged by fire, the helicopter's instrument panel was destroyed and the fuselage and both engines caught fire after the crash.

Richard Wintonย of theย Los Angeles Timesย reported there will be a public memorial to honor Kobe and Gianna and the other victimsโ€”Bryant, John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayanโ€”on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center.

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