Prompted In Part By A Large Number Of Drones Flying Over The Area

The FAA issued a NOTAM late Sunday night that placed a TFR over the site where the helicopter carrying former NBA star Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others on board went down, largely due to a large number of drones flying over the site.

All on board the helicopter were fatally injured in the accident, which occurred Sunday morning.

The TFR, which is in place through January 31, includes airspace five nautical miles in all directions from the accident site up to an altitude of 5,000 feet MSL.

The NOTAM was issued "provide a safe environment for accident investigation," according to the document posted online by the FAA.

DroneDJ reports that, according to Business Insider, an FAA spokesperson said that there were a "significant number of aircraft, including drones, operating over the accident site."

CNN reports that the NTSB wrapped up recovery operations on Tuesday at the accident scene. According to investigators, the aircraft was a 2,300 feet AGL when communications with the aircraft were lost. The pilot said he was climbing to avoid a cloud layer. NTSB Board Member Jennifer Homendy said that the aircraft appears to have been intact when it impacted terrain, and it was not equipped with a TAWS to provide information about terrain.

Homendy said the helicopter missed clearing the mountain by 20-30 feet.

FMI: NOTAM
DroneDJ
CNN