SUMMARY
- January 26, 2024, marks the fourth anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that resulted in the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.
- The helicopter, piloted by Ara Zobayan, crashed into the California Hills while en route to a youth basketball game in Thousand Oaks.
January 26, 2024, marks the fourth anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that was responsible for the demise of a sensational NBA legend. A former NBA basketball star breathed his last on January 26, 2020, while he was traveling to Camarillo, California. Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven others were traveling through the same chopper to attend a youth basketball game in Thousand Oaks.
The helicopter’s pilot, Ara Zobayan, informed the air traffic controller that he would maintain a low altitude during the trip. However, due to a sudden patch of clouds and fog, Zobayan has to rise to 4,000 feet. It was during this process that the chopper suddenly turned left and initiated a rapid descent.
The helicopter ultimately crashed into the California Hills, situated on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Bryant was 41 years old, and his little one, Gigi, was just 13 years old when the two breathed their last. Apart from these two, all the other passengers also lost their lives. Although the National Transportation Safety Board released 2000 pages of evidence a year later, there was nothing suspicious.
Kobe is survived by a family of four: his wife, Vanessa Bryant, and his three daughters. Later, the weather and the pilot’s indecisiveness were blamed for the tragic crash. However, it’s worth noting that the same helicopter transported Kobe to his final game in 2016.
Kobe Bryant boarded the same helicopter to attend his final game
The five-time NBA champion has left a legacy of awards and records with the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s fair to say that Kobe Bryant climbed mountains and made way for others to follow the path. Not only did he establish a whole ‘mamba mentality’ regimen, but he outshined all the marvelous players that ruled the league.
As memorable as his debut was, the same was true of his final game in 2016 against the Utah Jazz. On April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers played their final game against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. In the 101-96 win over the Jazz, Bryant threw 60 points. He also scored the last winning shot of his career with 31.6 seconds remaining in the game.
Furthermore, Kobe scored the last 15 of 17 points on the Lakers’ roster and single-handedly outsourced the Jazz in the fourth quarter. The 18-time NBA All-Star broke many records that night. And he stood on the hardwood, long after the overcrowded stands were empty and all the people had left.
When the cleaning staff was sweeping the mounds of purple and gold confetti on the floor, Bryant remained on the court. The then-37-year-old gathered with his wife and daughters on the hardwood and posed for pictures.