Herbert Wigwe: 'The helicopter was a ball of fire before it crashed' – US NTSB Latest News

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the helicopter that killed Access Holdings founder Herbert Wigwe was a ball of fire before it crashed.

A few weeks ago, Wigwe, his wife, son and former group chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group Limited (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were involved in a helicopter crash in California.

However, according to the NTSB investigation, eyewitness accounts indicate that the weather on the day of the tragic accident was a mix of rain and snow.

The commission said Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology built into the helicopter and provides the aircraft's location recorded an increase in ground speed before the crash.

“The accident aircraft departed Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) at 2045 under visual flight rules and flew approximately 2 miles northwest, then followed U.S. Highway 111 to Interstate ) to Hwy 10, altitudes varied between 2,500 and 3,000 feet above mean sea level ( msl).

“The helicopter continued along Interstate 10, crossed the San Bernardino International Airport in San Bernardino, California, and then followed Interstate 215 to Interstate 15.

“The helicopter tracked I-15 toward its planned destination, Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU) in Boulder City, Nevada, and climbed to an altitude of 4,000 to 5,500 feet MSL, before the ADS-B was installed. It descended to an altitude of approximately 3,500 feet near Barstow, California, where it is located.''Trajectory data is thought to have been lost around 2146, possibly due to terrain interference.

“ADS-B data resumed at 2207 near the Halloran Springs/I-15 exit west of the accident scene. The final ADS-B data points for this flight trended east-southeast, gradually decreasing in altitude. Ground speed increased (see Figures 1 and 2).

“The accident site was located 0.51 miles east-southeast of the last data point and approximately 3,360 feet msl.

“According to law enforcement, several witnesses traveling in vehicles on Interstate 15 reported observing a 'fireball' on the south side.

“Witnesses reported that weather conditions in the area were “poor'' and rain mixed with snow. “The accident scene was located by law enforcement at 11:46 p.m.,” the report reads in part.

The NTSB further stated that “the wreckage is located in alpine desert and scrub-covered terrain;
Debris was scattered approximately 300 feet along a 120 degree magnetic direction from the initial point of impact. ”

“All major parts of the helicopter were found at the accident scene,” the report added.

Source: dailypost.ng