By Collaborative Investigation Underway as NSIB and NTSB Investigate Helicopter Crash Resulting in Death of Herbert Wigwe and Others
Ghazali Ibrahim
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has pledged its full cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in investigating the tragic Airbus Helicopter EC130B4 crash that claimed the life of Dr. Herbert Wigwe , Group CEO of Access Holdings, and five others.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development confirmed this in a statement made on his official X handle on Monday, as obtained by Black Box Nigeria.
NSIB, responsible for promoting transport safety and conducting thorough investigations, is collaborating with NTSB, its counterpart in the United States, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The ill-fated helicopter, operated by Orbic Air, LLC, crashed near Interstate 15 in Halloran Springs, California, on Friday, February 9, 2024, at approximately 10:08 PM (Pacific Standard Time). The NTSB dispatched its team to investigate the accident, confirming the loss of all onboard, including two crew members and four passengers.
Captain Alex Badeh, Director General of NSIB, initiated contact with NTSB in accordance with ICAO’s Annex 13, granting Nigeria special interest in the investigation due to fatalities involving its citizens.
In light of the collaborative effort, Captain Badeh emphasized the diligence of NTSB investigators and the importance of cooperation to ensure a conclusive outcome in the investigation.
“NSIB is committed to working closely with NTSB to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident,” stated Captain Badeh.
“Our priority is to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation process.”
