Pilot received clearance to fly in poor weather conditions

The pilot flying Kobe Bryant and seven others Sunday was given clearance to fly in worse than normal weather conditions, without relying on instruments to guide him, according to recordings of his communications with air traffic controllers. Shortly before the helicopter crashed, killing everyone on board, the pilot was approved for what’s known as special visual flight rules, according to audio reviewed by The Washington Post. In the recording, the pilot requests to fly under the special conditions.