In a sorrowful turn of events, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced on Saturday, February 24, that it has received the preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concerning the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, former Group CEO of Access Holdings, his wife, son, and two others.
Bimbo Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NSIB, conveyed this information in a statement released in Lagos.
The tragic incident unfolded on February 9 and involved an Airbus Helicopter EC130B4 in Halloran Springs, California. Preliminary findings from the NTSB indicate that the helicopter suffered catastrophic damage and caught fire before the crash, attributed to adverse weather conditions.
Discussing the NTSB report, Oladeji shared, “The preliminary report on the Airbus Helicopter EC130B4 outlines crucial details surrounding the tragic incident. Departing from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, the helicopter journeyed to Boulder City Municipal Airport in Nevada via Palm Springs International Airport.”
However, the flight encountered adverse weather conditions marked by rain and a mix of snow, as reported by witnesses. Law enforcement and eyewitnesses along Interstate 15 (I-15) reported observing a “fireball” in the area, prompting calls to emergency services.
“The wreckage of the helicopter was subsequently discovered in the high, mountainous desert and scrub-brush-covered terrain near Halloran Springs, California,” Oladeji added.
As investigations continue, the NSIB remains committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident that claimed the lives of Dr. Herbert Wigwe and the others on board.
