Athletes who lost their lives in flight accidents Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident Sunday in Calabasas, (CA). Other athletes who lost their lives in air accidents. Rafael Osuna Quinn Rooney/Getty Images June 4, 1969: Rafael Osuna, 1963 U.S. Open Tennis Champion, in Mexico. Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12, Page 13, Page 14, Page 15, Page 16, Page 17, Page 18, Page 19, Page 20, Page 21, Page 22, Page 23, Page 24