No sign of engine failure in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash: NTSB

Wreckage at the scene of the helicopter crash that killed NBA great Kobe Bryant and eight others showed no evidence of engine failure, a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among the nine who perished when the helicopter crashed in rugged terrain west of Los Angeles on January 26.

"All significant components of the helicopter were located within the wreckage area," according to the report.

"Examination of the main and tail rotor assemblies found damage consistent with powered rotation at the time of impact.

"Viewable sections of the engines showed no evidence of an uncontained or catastrophic internal failure.

"The No. 2 engine first-stage compressor blades exhibited tip curl in the direction opposite of rotation, consistent with powered rotation at the time of impact."
"And we are confident that we will be able to determine its cause as well as any factors that contributed to it so we can make safety recommendations to prevent accidents like this from occurring again."