Herbert Wigwe: New Update from US on Helicopter Crash. 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 resulted in the tragic loss 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, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos.
The unfortunate incident took place on February 9, involving an Airbus Helicopter EC130B4 in Halloran Springs, California.
Preliminary findings indicate that the helicopter sustained severe damage and caught fire before crashing, likely due to adverse weather conditions.
Discussing the NTSB report, Oladeji stated:
“The preliminary report on the Airbus Helicopter EC130B4, registered as N130CZ and operated by Orbic Air, LLC, under Part 135 regulations for on-demand flights, provides critical details regarding the tragic event.
“Departing from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, the helicopter was en route to Boulder City Municipal Airport in Nevada via Palm Springs International Airport.
“However, during the flight, adverse weather conditions, including rain and snow, were encountered, as reported by witnesses.
“Law enforcement and eyewitness reports indicated that several individuals traveling along Interstate 15 (I-15) witnessed a ‘fireball’ in the area, leading to calls to emergency services.
“Subsequently, the wreckage of the helicopter was found in the high, mountainous desert terrain near Halloran Springs, California.
“Examination of the accident site revealed scattered debris spanning about 300 ft along a 120° magnetic trajectory from an initial impact point, which resulted in a 1.5 ft deep, 12 ft long, and 10 ft wide ground crater.
“The debris included fragments of the right landing gear skid, cockpit wiring, and cabin floor structure. The right skid step protruded upward at a 45° angle at the extreme eastern edge of the ground crater.
“All major helicopter components were located at the accident site. The fuselage was fragmented, and both the cockpit and cabin were destroyed.
“Some debris and vegetation showed signs of thermal damage, indicating the force of the collision. The flight control tubes and linkages leading up to the flight control servos were fragmented, and continuity could not be verified.
“All three pitch control links were attached at the swashplate and blade pitch change horns. The main rotor blades were fragmented and showed signs of damage, and the blade sleeves and tips were recovered.
“Data analysis involved various sources, including automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, operator personnel reports, and eyewitness testimonies, to reconstruct the flight path and sequence of events leading to the accident.”