BREAKING: US Agency Unveils Details of Fatal Helicopter Crash Involving Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, Family Members, Others

A recent report by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed light on the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Access Holdings Plc’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, his family, and others.

Witnesses described the helicopter as a “fireball” moments before its crash near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9, marking a somber day with the loss of all six onboard, including the pilot and co-pilot.

Herbert Wigwe, alongside his wife, son, and the former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were passengers in the ill-fated Airbus Helicopters EC 130B4, registered as N130CZ.
The day’s weather was less than ideal, presenting a challenging mix of rain and snow, adding a layer of complexity to the flight conditions.

The NTSB’s preliminary findings reveal that the helicopter, equipped with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology for tracking aircraft positions, showed an unexpected increase in ground speed before the tragedy struck. Departing from Palm Springs International Airport under visual flight rules, the helicopter embarked on a route that would tragically end in disaster.

Traversing various altitudes and following major highways towards Boulder City Municipal Airport in Nevada, the helicopter’s journey was abruptly halted. The ADS-B data, after a temporary loss likely due to terrain interference, resumed showing a distressing descent in altitude and acceleration in ground speed, concluding with the crash site discovery 0.31 miles east-southeast from the last recorded data point.

The crash site, located in a rugged desert terrain, was strewn with debris and evidence of the intense impact.
Law enforcement and eyewitness reports align with the harrowing sight of a fireball, emphasizing the adverse weather conditions at the time. The NTSB’s examination of the wreckage revealed a fragmented fuselage, a destroyed cockpit and cabin, and significant thermal damage to some debris and nearby vegetation. The analysis of flight control components and main rotor blades further illustrated the catastrophic nature of the crash.