The helicopter that crashed and killed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven other people did not show any outward evidence of engine failure, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Bryant's helicopter was not certified to fly with instruments in poor visibility, via the Associated Press:

The NTSB is investigating the accident, including any role heavy fog played, and a final report isn’t expected for at least a year.

A witness told the NTSB that the helicopter was flying forward and downward through the fog before it crashed right into the hillside. The witness said he saw the helicopter for 1 to 2 seconds before it hit the hill.

The helicopter’s instrument panel was destroyed in the crash and most of the devices were displaced, according to the NTSB’s investigative update. The flight controls were broken and suffered fire damage.

Investigators believe that since a tree branch at the crash site was cut, it appears the engines were working and rotors turning at the time of impact.

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The passing of Bryant is going to take a long time to get over. Lakers players were very emotional last Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center during the team's tribute to Kobe.

The Lakers still have the best record in the Western Conference despite losing to the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Nothing would make this season more special than to see LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead the Lakers to the championship.

Both LeBron and Davis were close with Bryant, so it’s not a stretch to say they are going to dedicate the rest of the season to the Purple and Gold icon.