Aviation authorities in the United States of America have offered reasons why the helicopter that flew the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, Herbert Wigwe; his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi; and former Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group PLC, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, crashed.
The Eagle Online recalls that the helicopter crashed on Friday night in California, United States of America.
The explanation for the cause of the crash was offered by an official of the US National Transportation Safety Board, Michael Graham, at a news briefing on Sunday.
Graham said the team was “methodically and systematically reviewing all evidence” and considering all potential factors to determine the probable cause of the crash.
He said although the information provided was only preliminary, witness reports suggested that a wintry weather condition was among the factors that contributed to the accident.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Graham said there were no details yet on the passengers on board the crashed chopper, adding that the “names will be released through the coroner’s office”.
…
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.”
