The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has received a preliminary report from the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the helicopter accident that claimed the life of former Access Holdings Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe.
According to the report, Wigwe, his wife Doreen, son Chizi, former NGX chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots were aboard the Airbus Helicopter EC130B4 when it crashed near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9, 2024.
The NTSB’s initial findings suggest that the helicopter sustained catastrophic damage upon impact, leading to the fragmentation of major components. Adverse weather conditions, including rain and snow, were encountered during the flight, and witnesses reported observing a “fireball” in the area.
The wreckage was discovered in high desert terrain, with a scattered debris pattern indicating a trajectory from the initial impact point.
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The helicopter’s fuselage was fragmented, and the cockpit and cabin were destroyed. Thermal damage to debris and vegetation indicated the extent of the collision’s force.
Data analysis, including ADS-B data and eyewitness accounts, is being utilized to reconstruct the flight path and sequence of events leading to the accident.
The NSIB is actively engaged with the NTSB and other relevant authorities to determine the factors contributing to the accident and ensure a thorough investigation.
