Investigation into fatal Kobe Bryant helicopter crash reveals pilot may have been disoriented in fog

Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea [USA TODAY Sports]

The pilot of the helicopter that crashed in thick fog, killing NBA legend Kobe Bryant and all eight others on board, reported that he was climbing when he was actually descending, federal investigators have said.

Pilot Ara Zobayan likely became disoriented in the fog before the crash in foothills near Los Angeles on January 26, investigators said in documents released on Wednesday.