(CNN) In his final transmission, the pilot of a helicopter that crashed, killing nine people including NBA legend Kobe Bryant , told air traffic control he was climbing to avoid a cloud layer, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday.

When air traffic control asked the pilot what he planned to do, there was no reply, NTSB board member Jennifer Homendy told reporters. The last radar contact was around 9:45 a.m. (12:45 p.m. ET) Sunday, she said.

Radar data indicated the helicopter climbed 2,300 feet and began a left descending turn, she said.

The NTSB, which is investigating the cause of the crash, detailed the helicopter's final moments before it crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, under foggy conditions. Visibility was so low Sunday morning that the Los Angeles Police Department grounded its helicopters, department spokesman Josh Rubenstein said.

The crash impact broke the helicopter into pieces, creating a debris field stretching about 500 to 600 feet, according to Homendy.

"There is (an) impact area on one of the hills and a piece of the tail is down the hill, on the left side of the hill," she said. "The fuselage is over on the other side of that hill, and then the main rotor is about 100 yards beyond that."

When asked about any chance for survival, Homendy said: "It was a pretty devastating accident scene."

Bryant, 41, and the other passengers were headed to Thousand Oaks for a basketball game, where Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna , was expected to play and Bryant was expected to coach. Gianna and two teammates were among the victims.

The pilot's final correspondence

Homendy said initial information indicates the helicopter was flying under visual flight rules from John Wayne Airport, in Orange County, to just southeast of Burbank Airport.

Around Burbank, the pilot requested to fly under special visual flight rules, Homendy said. An SVFR clearance allows a pilot to fly in weather conditions worse than those allowed for regular visual flight rules (VFR).

Pilots can request SVFR clearance before takeoff or during the flight, especially if conditions suddenly change, CNN transportation analyst Peter Goelz said.

Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, center, and Quinn Cook react to a video tribute for Kobe Bryant, before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31. Hide Caption 1 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant The jerseys of Kobe Bryant, right, and his daughter Gianna are draped on the seats the two last sat on at Staples Center, prior to the Lakers' game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, Friday, January 31. The last game the two attended was on December 29, 2019, when the Lakers faced the Dallas Mavericks. Hide Caption 2 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A message honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna is seen on the marquee of the Hollywood Paladium on Sunset Boulevard. Hide Caption 3 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A makeshift memorial outside Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 31. Hide Caption 4 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A mural of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna adorns a basketball court on Monday, January 28, in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. Hide Caption 5 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant The Empire State Building is illuminated gold and purple to honor Kobe Bryant on January 28. Hide Caption 6 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Serbia's Novak Djokovic gets emotional as he talks about Kobe Bryant after winning a men's singles quarter-final match against Canada's Milos Raonic on day nine of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28. Hide Caption 7 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Notes are seen on a wall with painted portraits of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna outside the "House of Kobe" basketball court on January 28 in Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines. Hide Caption 8 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Store manager Satoshi Kanazawa, right, and Kazuhiro Taguchi hang a poster showing an image of former NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant at Selection in Tokyo on Monday, January 27. Hide Caption 9 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant The Detroit Pistons honor Kobe Bryant by wearing numbers 8 and 24 on their jerseys prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 27 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Hide Caption 10 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Coco Gauff pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, with their names hand-written on her tennis tennis shoes during her Australian Open doubles tennis match on January 27. Hide Caption 11 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Fans place flowers at a makeshift memorial outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 27. Hide Caption 12 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Nicole Mascarenhas wipes her eyes in front of the Staples Center on January 27. Hide Caption 13 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Children play with paper balls and a trash can in front of a makeshift memorial on January 27. A group of fans gathered at the LA Live Plaza and took turns shooting paper balls into the trash can while yelling "Kobe," a gesture practiced in classrooms and offices across America. Hide Caption 14 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A sign at the 42nd St-Bryant Park subway station in New York City is covered with tape to read "Kobe Byrant Park" on January 27. Hide Caption 15 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Gregg Donovan holds flowers at a memorial for Kobe Bryant near the Staples Center on January 27. Hide Caption 16 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A spectator at the Australian open wears a Kobe Bryant jersey on January 27. Hide Caption 17 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Flowers, jerseys and other memorabilia is left at the entrance of the Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion High School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on January 27. Hide Caption 18 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant People mourn for former NBA star Kobe Bryant near the Staples Center on January 26. Hide Caption 19 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant People gather near a small memorial outside of a basketball court in Calabasas, California, on January 26. Hide Caption 20 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant The Pacific Park Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier is lit up purple and gold with Kobe Bryant's number 24 in Los Angeles on January 26. Hide Caption 21 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant From left, Houston Rockets players Tyson Chandler, Austin Rivers and P.J. Tucker react during a tribute to Kobe Bryant before their game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, January 26. Hide Caption 22 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Host Alicia Keys speaks about Bryant during the 2020 Grammy Awards on Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Bryant spent his 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, who play in the Staples Center. Hide Caption 23 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant From left, Alex Fultz, Eddy Rivas and Rene Alfaro react to Bryant's death on Sunday outside of the Staples Center. Hide Caption 24 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant AFC defensive end Calais Campbell kneels as he and his teammates react to the announcement of Bryant's death Sunday in the second quarter of the 2020 Pro Bowl on Sunday in Orlando. Hide Caption 25 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Dharma Brown, 8, writes a note to the late Bryant outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday. Hide Caption 26 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant LA Clippers assistant coaches Sam Cassell and Tyronn Lue react on the bench after honoring Kobe Bryant during a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday. Hide Caption 27 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant The ceiling of Madison Square Garden is lit in the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers as Bryant's picture is displayed during a moment of silence Sunday. Hide Caption 28 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant People gather at a memorial for Kobe Bryant near the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday. Hide Caption 29 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A fan shows off a Bryant jersey during a game between the Orlando Magic and the LA Clippers on Sunday. Hide Caption 30 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Players and fans in Memphis observe a moment of silence for Bryant before the Phoenix Suns game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Hide Caption 31 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Inside the Staples Center, a man takes a photo of a mural featuring Bryant on Sunday. Hide Caption 32 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Fans mourn in front of Bryant's image across from Staples Center on Sunday. Hide Caption 33 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A memorial for Bryant is seen Sunday near the Staples Center. Hide Caption 34 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A moment of silence is taken before the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Hide Caption 35 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Fans are seen at a memorial started next to a mural of Bryant on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles on Sunday. Hide Caption 36 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Fans stand for a moment of silence before the game between the Orlando Magic and the LA Clippers in Orlando on Sunday. Hide Caption 37 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant Elana Hirschman hugs her 11-year-old son Bryan as her husband Craig stands by Sunday near the scene of the deadly helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Hide Caption 38 of 39 Photos: The world mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant A fan pays respects at a mural depicting Bryant in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Hide Caption 39 of 39

While SVFR clearance is "pretty normal," he said, "it's not something that's often recommended."

If granted SVFR clearance, the pilot will typically keep tighter communication with air traffic control.

During the pilot's conversation with air traffic control, they advised the pilot there was a delay due to traffic, Homendy said.

She said the helicopter circled for 12 minutes until air traffic control approved the special visual flight rules.

Homendy said the helicopter flew in the Burbank and Van Nuys airspace at 1,400 feet, heading south and then west.

The pilot requested flight following, which is radar assistance for a flight that helps the pilot avoid traffic, to continue to Camarillo, she said, But air traffic control said the helicopter was too low to provide flight following assistance, she said.

About four minutes later, the pilot said he was climbing to avoid the cloud layer, she said.

Homendy said the crash created a crater at 1,085 feet above sea level.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said there has been a lot of interest from the public trying to get to the crash site. An emergency ordinance was issued, making it a misdemeanor to unlawfully access the site, the sheriff said.

Deputies are patrolling the rugged terrain on horseback, Villanueva said. The terrain is so difficult to access that authorities bulldozed the road to get a car to the location.

NBA postpones Lakers game after crash

A day after the crash, the National Basketball Association said Tuesday night's Los Angeles Lakers game versus the Los Angeles Clippers would be postponed. The decision "was made out of respect for the Lakers organization," which is mourning the deaths of the nine victims, the league said.

The game was scheduled to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be rescheduled, the league said.

The following has been released by the NBA pic.twitter.com/NgrEP2qpDi — NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2020

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said Monday a team of investigators recovered three bodies Sunday night, before darkness and safety concerns suspended the search. It's unclear which victims have been recovered.

Children and parents were on board

Bryant and Gianna were joined on the flight by Orange Coast College (OCC) baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and his daughter Alyssa, Altobelli's brother told CNN.

Alyssa was Gianna's teammate, OCC assistant coach Ron La Ruffa said. And Altobelli would routinely travel with his daughter for her basketball games.

OCC President Angelica Suarez said she was devastated by the loss of "a member of our OCC family."

"Coach Altobelli was a giant on our campus -- a beloved teacher, coach, colleague and friend," Suarez said in a statement. "This is a tremendous loss for our campus community."

Another parent, Christina Mauser, was also killed in the crash. Mauser was an assistant girls basketball coach for a private school in Corona del Mar, California.

"My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash," her husband Matt Mauser wrote on Facebook.

Payton Chester and her mother Sarah Chester were also passengers on the helicopter and killed in the crash, Payton's grandmother, Cathy Chester, wrote on Facebook.

She said they were on their way to the same basketball game.

The pilot of the helicopter was Ara Zobayan, according a former colleague at the Island Express helicopter company and a neighbor.

Kurt Deetz, a pilot who worked at Island Express with Zobayan, said he would trust Zobayan to fly him.

Zobayan's neighbor, Robert Sapia, said Zobayan loved his job and would show him photos of the celebrities he would fly around, including Bryant.

Zobayan was an instrument-certified pilot who earned his commercial pilot's license in 2007, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's pilot certification database.

He was also a certified flight instructor for instrument instruction for helicopter pilots, the records show. The database also shows Zobayan was up to date on FAA-required annual medical exams.

Homendy said Zobayan had a commercial certificate and was a certified flight instructor who had 8,200 hours of flight time as of July 2019, she said.

Sikorsky, the helicopter manufacturer, tweeted its condolences.

"We have been in contact with the NTSB and stand ready to provide assistance and support to the investigative authorities. ... Safety is our top priority; if there are any actionable findings from the investigation, we will inform our S-76 customers."

The helicopter was built in 1991 and was most recently registered to Island Express Holding Corp., according to the FAA.

In a statement, Island Express Helicopters, owner and operator of the helicopter, said it was "deeply saddened" by the crash.