US Agency, NTSB, Unveils Details of Helicopter Crash That Took Lives of Herbert Wigwe, Companions

The helicopter carrying Access Holdings Plc Co-founder and Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife, son, and other passengers, crashed en route from Palm Springs Airport to Boulder City, Nevada. The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has disclosed that the helicopter caught fire upon impact with the terrain, resulting in the death of all six occupants, including two crew members.

During a media briefing on Sunday, NTSB board member Michael Graham provided preliminary details, stating that the tragic crash occurred approximately 90 minutes after takeoff. The helicopter impacted the terrain south of I-15 near Halloran Springs, California, around 75 miles northeast of Barstow.

Graham emphasized the ongoing investigation to determine the crash’s cause, revealing that witnesses reported rain with a wintry mix at the time of the accident. He cautioned against premature conclusions and stressed the complexity of the process.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash of a Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter near Nipton, California, at around 10 pm local time on February 9, without disclosing the victims’ identities.

The NTSB board member, Graham, warned that the comprehensive investigation report might take 12 to 24 months to be finalized. As the aviation community mourns this tragic loss, the focus remains on unraveling the circumstances surrounding the crash.