The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has given a briefing on the helicopter crash that killed the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings plc Herbert Wigwe, his wife, their son, a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, as well as two crew members.
In a briefing on Sunday, Feb. 11, the US NTSB said reports suggest that a wintry weather condition was among the factors that contributed to the chopper crash that claimed six lives.
At the briefing, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member, Michael Graham, said: “The team methodically and systematically reviews all evidence and considers all potential factors to determine the probable cause of the crash.
“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. Witness reports of the weather conditions at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix.”
According to Graham, there were no details on the passengers who boarded the aircraft. He said that “any names will be released through the coroner’s office”.
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Abimbola Ogunbanjo
(From left to right) Herbert Wigwe, his son, and his wife Chizoba Wigwe
He also stated that 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.”
The NTSB would look into the chopper’s airworthiness; maintenance and structure of the helicopter, operations, meteorology, and air traffic control, according to Graham.
He added: “Parties to the investigation include the FAA and Orbic Air LLC. As the investigation continues, other parties could be named.
“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.”
