Weather a possible factor in Bryant crash
Investigators are looking into bad weather as one factor as they try to work out why a helicopter crashed on Sunday
killing basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others.
Fog was so bad that morning, that both the LA police and county sheriff departments grounded their helicopters - according to the LA Times.
Jennifer Homendy from the U.S. National Transportation Board described radio calls with air traffic control before Bryant's helicopter crashed.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB BOARD MEMBER, JENNIFER HOMENDY, SAYING:
"The pilot requested flight following to continue to Camarillo, but Southern California TRACON advised the pilot that they were too low for flight following. Approximately four minutes later, the pilot advised they were climbing to avoid a cloud layer. When ATC asked what the pilot planned to do, there was no reply. Radar data indicates the helicopter climbed to 2,300 feet and then began a left descending turn. Last radar contact was around 9.45am and is consistent with the accident location."
Mourners are gathering across the world to remember the NBA champion.
He often travelled by helicopter to avoid LA traffic.
This time with his 13-year old daughter and basketball player.
As well as another couple and daughter, a mother and daughter, a basketball coach and the pilot.
Back at the scene, officials say debris is spread out over 500 to 600 feet across the hillside outside of Calabasas in California.
Some bodies have been found, but investigators are likely to be on the scene for five days
