Helicopter Carrying Kobe Bryant Received Special Approval To Fly In Foggy Weather Before Crash

The helicopter that crashed and killed Kobe Bryant and eight other people Sunday morning was given special approval to fly in foggy weather conditions. Audio records between the pilot and air traffic control show that the helicopter received Special Visual Flight Rules clearance, which allowed it to fly in conditions worse than usually allowed for flying.

An official cause of the crash has yet to be determined. Authorities are investigating what led to the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

“The weather situation did not meet our minimum standards for flying,” said Los Angeles police spokesman Josh Rubenstein.

Rubenstein said the fog forced the Los Angeles Police Department’s Air Support Division to prevent helicopters from flying until later in the afternoon.

The pilot asked to be in regular contact with air traffic control at Burbank Airport through the less than standard conditions. Before losing radio contact, the controller appeared to tell the pilot that the helicopter was flying too low in order for radar to track the flight.

Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among the victims on the helicopter, en route to the NBA legend’s basketball academy.