The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has provided further details on the fatal helicopter crash that led to the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and other crew members onboard.
The details were provided by a board member with the NTSB, Michael Graham, alongside the investigator in charge of the incident, Aaron Sours, at a press briefing on Saturday evening in Barstow, California.
Mr Graham confirmed that the two crew members and four passengers on board the aircraft were fatally injured and that there was a report of a fire outbreak when the helicopter crashed.
“As far as we know, from what was reported from witnesses that there was fire when the aircraft did contact the terrain,” the official said.
uring the press briefing, the official said the ill-fated plane was rented from a chartered flight company based out of Burbank.
Asked about the weather conditions of the crash scene, Mr Graham said it was reported by witnesses that there was rain with some wintry mix.
“We currently have a meteorologist working on our team and we were working to analyse and get the exact weather conditions at that time. Of course, that’s out in the middle of the desert so we’ll have to find the closest reporting stations nearby to be able to give any accurate report,” he said.
The crash site of Herbert Wigwe’s helicopter in Mohave Desert, California pic.twitter.com/yDLL1rVyxc
— Leon H. Usigbe, Ph.D. (@Leehabby) February 11, 2024
