Kobe Bryant's helicopter pilot was given special clearance to fly in foggy weather minutes before the deadly crash

• Just before Kobe Bryant and eight others were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, the pilot had been given special clearance to fly in foggy conditions.
• The New York Times reported Monday that the investigation into the crash is likely to center on whether that was the right decision.
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The helicopter that crashed in Calabasas, California on Sunday and killing all nine people on board, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter, was given special permission to fly in foggy weather.

Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others set off in the helicopter Sunday morning, flying from Orange County en route to Thousand Oaks, where the basketball legend's youth academy is located.

But foggy conditions led them to circle over Burbank until air traffic control gave them permission to carry on, according to audio communications posted to YouTube.

The helicopter later crashed in Calabasas, killing everyone on board.

The New York Times reports that the investigation will likely center on whether it was the correct decision to let the helicopter continue on its journey.

They spoke to an LAPD helicopter officials who said even police helicopters don't generally fly in the conditions that were seen on Sunday morning.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

• Read more:
• Everything we know - and what we don't - about the fatal helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and 7 others
• Dwyane Wade cried in an Instagram video about Kobe Bryant's death, saying it feels like a 'bad dream that you just want to wake up from'
• Kobe Bryant created his 'Black Mamba' alter-ego as a way to get through the lowest point of his career