NTSB begins investigation into Friday helicopter crash, Access Holdings to reveal successor

The American National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has said possible weather conditions were likely responsible for the helicopter crash that killed Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, and four others including the two pilots.

In a Press briefing on Saturday evening, Michael Graham, an NTSB board member, expressed sympathy to the family of the victims and said it had began to gather “perishable evidence” at the scene of the crash to determine probable cause.

Graham said the agency would not jump into conclusion but would provide preliminary reports in a couple of weeks while a full NTSB investigation would last about two year before a formal report can be published.

Providing additional information about the crash, NTSB said the accident flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC as a part 135 charter flight with a pilot in command and a safety pilot.

He added that witnesses said the weather condition at the time of the crash “suggest rain and a wintry mix” and the helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder because it was not required to be equipped with those devices.

Graham said the investigating panel would investigate the airworthiness of the crashed helicopter, operations, metrology and airtraffic control.

Meanwhile, Access Bank have expressed grief over the loss of their CEO and family members. The company said it is collaborating with US authorities to gather updates, highlighting a lack of adequate information regarding the crash.

In a post on X, the bank articulated, “Today, we bid farewell to a visionary leader, Herbert Wigwe, whose passion and unwavering commitment to excellence transformed Access into a global powerhouse.

“His legacy of excellence and compassion will continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, Herbert Wigwe. Your impact will forever be felt.”

Following the untimely passing of its CEO, Access Holdings has announced that an acting Group Chief Executive Officer will be appointed in the coming days, adhering to the company’s policy to address the vacancy left by Dr. Wigwe’s demise.

It declared that, “In line with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”

Read more: AFCON Final: Avoid Getting Over-Excited – Nigerian Cardiac Society Warns

About The Author

Kangmwa Gofwen

editor

See author's posts