Pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash counseled by FAA after 2015 incident

Kobe Bryant shirts are set on seats inside the Staples Center in advance of the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers [COURTESY]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faulted the pilot of the helicopter that crashed in January killing basketball great Kobe Bryant and eight others for violating flight rules in a 2015 incident.

The FAA said Ara Zobayan was piloting an AS350 helicopter in May 2015 when he violated rules governing the airspace around Los Angeles International Airport.