PHOENIX — The investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant is continuing in Phoenix.
The National Transportation Safety Board said authorities have ended the investigation at the scene of the crash on a rugged hillside outside Los Angeles.
The wreckage was then taken to Phoenix. The crumpled pieces of the aircraft are sitting on a flatbed truck west of downtown.
According to Professor Jerry Kidrick of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, the NTSB will now try to piece the aircraft together to determine if any mechanical failure occurred that caused the crash.
“They’re going to try to re-assemble that helicopter part by part,” Kidrick said. “When they do that, they’re going to see if they can identify any damaged parts, anything that might have been damaged or mechanically not functioning properly before the accident.”
As for why the parts were brought to Phoenix for this task instead of being kept in the Los Angeles area, Kidrick believes Bryant’s celebrity may be forcing the move.
“It’s possible that because this is so high-profile any place they could’ve put that wreckage in California would’ve been a media magnet, and people would’ve gone there and left flowers or whatever,” Kidrick said. “Potentially moving it away is like moving a venue in trial.”
The NTSB revealed Tuesday that the helicopter did not have a BlackBox voice recorder.
It also did not have a Terrain Alert Warning System, something that could’ve called pilot Ara Zobayan’s attention to the steep terrain his aircraft eventually crashed into.
The FAA does not require TAWS on private helicopters.
Bryant was scheduled to coach a girls' basketball game on the afternoon of the crash that killed nine.
His daughter, Gianna, and other parents and players from the team were on board.
In addition to Kobe and Gianna, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Ara Zobayan and Christina Mauser died in the crash.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the helicopter was flying in very foggy conditions.