Saturday, February 24, 2024 - The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on Saturday, February 24 said it received the preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Dr Herbert Wigwe, former Group CEO of Access Holdings, his wife, son and two others.
The Director, of Public Affairs and
Consumer Protection, NSIB, Bimbo Oladeji, made the disclosure in a statement in
Lagos.
The tragic incident occurred on February 9,
involving an Airbus Helicopter EC130B4 in Halloran Springs, California.
Initial findings suggest the helicopter
suffered catastrophic damage as it caught fire before the crash due to adverse
weather conditions.
Speaking on the NTSB report, Oladeji said:
“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, 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,
during its flight, adverse weather conditions characterized by rain and a mix
of snow were encountered, as reported by witnesses.
“Reports
from law enforcement and eyewitnesses also indicated that several individuals
travelling along Interstate 15 (I-15) observed a “fireball” in the area,
prompting calls to emergency services.
“Subsequently,
the wreckage of the helicopter was discovered in the high, mountainous desert
and scrub-brush-covered terrain near Halloran Springs, California.
“Analysis of
the accident site revealed a scattered debris pattern about 300 ft along a 120°
magnetic, indicating a trajectory from an initial impact point which was a 1.5
ft deep, 12 ft long and 10 ft wide ground crater.
“Containing 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
identified at the accident site. The helicopter’s fuselage was fragmented, and
the cockpit and cabin were destroyed.
“Some debris and vegetation displayed
thermal damage, indicative of the extent of the collision’s force. 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 broomstrawed, and the blade sleeves and tips were present.
“Data analysis utilized sources including
automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, operator personnel
reports, and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the flight path and sequen
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