According to preliminary assessments, a wintry weather condition was one of the causes that contributed to the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc.
Wigwe, his wife, and their son were aboard the helicopter when it crashed in California near the Nevada border on Friday.
Also on board was the former group chairperson of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Speaking during a media briefing Saturday (3am Nigerian time, Sunday), a National Transportation Safety Board member, Michael Graham, said officials were on the scene to gather perishable evidence.
Graham said the team was “methodically and systematically reviewing all evidence” and considering all potential factors to determine the probable cause of the crash.
He added that although the information provided was only preliminary, witness reports suggested that a wintry weather condition was among the factors that contributed to the accident.
The crew consisted of a pilot in command and a safety pilot.
The accident flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC as a Part 135 charter flight
“The helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. This helicopter was not required to be equipped with those types of recording devices,” Graham said
He added that there were no details but said “any names will be released through the coroner’s office” without specifying a time frame.
He added that the NTSB would look into the chopper’s airworthiness; maintenance and structure of the helicopter, operations, meteorology, and air traffic control.
“Parties to the investigation include the FAA and Orbic Air LLC. As the investigation continues, other parties could be named,” he said.
“The BEA — the French aviation accident investigation agency — will serve as an accredited representative because France is a state of the manufacturer of the Airbus helicopter and the Turbomeca engine.”
Meanwhile, Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the death of its CEO, Wigwe along with his wife and son.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, on Sunday.
