KOBE Bryant and his oldest daughter, Gianna, have died in a tragic helicopter crash, which came down in California.

The 41-year-old NBA legend and his daughter, 13, were on their way to a basketball practice when the chopper came down at around 10am - in conditions that had forced the LAPD to ground their choppers.

36 Smoke rises above the scene of the crash Credit: BackGrid

36 Kobe Bryant was considered one of the best basketball players of all time Credit: AFP

36 Bryant and his daughter bonded over their love for basketball Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Bryant shot to fame as an 18-year-old and and played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years, winning five NBA championships on the way.

The death of the player nicknamed The Black Mamba sent shockwaves through the NBA and stunned fans around the world.

He is survived by wife Vanessa and his other daughters Natalia, Bianca and Capri, who was born in June 2019.

The chopper came down after getting into trouble flying in thick fog.

LAPD grounded their air support because the conditions were so bad, according to TMZ.

The pilot - named locally as Ara Zobayan - was attempting to turn the aircraft when it smashed into hills of Las Virgenes Canyon, which is home to celebrities including the Kardashians.

He had been in communication with air traffic control as he circled above Burbank, California for around 15 minutes.

THICK FOG

Just seconds before the crash an operator in the control tower was heard saying,"you're too low" as he lost contact with the aircraft.

Moments later the helicopter smashed into a hillside.

Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa were also among the nine people killed in the crash, officials said.

Other victims were Christina Mauser, Bryant's assistant coach in youth basketball, along with Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, who was reportedly a teammate of Gianna.

36 Kobe pictured with his daughter Capri Credit: Instagram

36 The basketball legend with wife Vanessa and his daughters Credit: Instagram

36 Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli and his wife Keri both died in the horrific crash Credit: Facebook 36 Bryant's youth basketball coach Christina Mauer (left) was among the nine reported victims Credit: Facebook 36 Also killed in the crash were Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, who was one of Gianna's teammates Credit: Instagram TRIBUTES TO A LEGEND A "shocked" Michael Jordan lamented the passing of his "little brother" and the "amazing dad." Jordan - widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all-time - led the tributes as the world mourned the all-time NBA legend. "I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe's and Gianna's passing. Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling," he said.

"I loved Kobe - he was like a little brother to me. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force."

Bryant's longtime teammate Shaquille O'Neal, with whom he had a sometimes-contentious relationship, said he was "sick" and speechless over the loss of his "niece" and "brother".

"There’s no words to express the pain I'm going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi & my brother," he tweeted.

"I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW."