A preliminary report released on Saturday by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed chilling details surrounding the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the late Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and others.
According to the NTSB report, witnesses in vehicles reported seeing the crashed Airbus Helicopter EC 130B4, which carried Wigwe, his family, and former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, as a “fireball” before it plummeted near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9.
The report disclosed that the tragic incident occurred amidst a mix of rain and snow, with the helicopter recording an increase in ground speed before the crash, as indicated by automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology.
“The accident flight departed Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and followed a northwesterly heading before tracking various highways at altitudes between 2,500 and 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl),” the NTSB stated.
“The helicopter continued along I-10, crossed over San Bernadino International Airport, San Bernadino, California, and then followed I-215 to I-15.
“The helicopter followed I-15 toward the planned destination of Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU), Boulder City, Nevada, climbed between 4,000 – 5,500 ft msl, then descended to about 3,500 ft msl near Barstow, California, where the ADS-B track data was lost about 2146, likely due to terrain interference.
“ADS-B data resumed at 2207 near the Halloran Springs/I-15 exit west of the accident location. The last ADS-B data points for the flight tracked east-southeast, gradually descended in altitude, and increased in ground speed (see Figures 1 and 2).”
The report added that “The accident site was located 0.31 miles east-southeast of the last data point at an elevation of about 3,360 ft msl.
“According to law enforcement, several witnesses who were traveling in vehicles on I-15, called 911 to report observing a ‘fireball’ to the south.
“The witnesses reported the weather conditions in the area were “not good” and raining with a snow mix. The accident site was located by law enforcement at 2346.”
Furthermore, the NTSB report stated that “wreckage was located in high mountainous desert and scrub brush covered terrain, and debris were scattered about 300 ft along a 120° magnetic heading from the initial impact point”.
“All major helicopter components were identified at the accident site. The fuselage was fragmented, and the cockpit and cabin were destroyed. Some debris and vegetation displayed thermal damage.
“The flight control tubes and linkages leading up to the flight control servos were fragmented and continuity could not be verified.
“All three pitch control links were attached at the swashplate and blade pitch change horns. The main rotor blades were fragmented and broomstrawed, and the blade sleeves and tips were present.”
