Following the tragic chopper crash that claimed the lives of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, and some prominent Nigerians in California, USA, the Federal Government on Monday confirmed it had begun talks with the government of the United States of America on the ongoing investigation.
This came as American investigators said the wreckage of the crashed chopper would be transferred to a new location in the United State for comprehensive tests on Tuesday.
The Director-General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau ,NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, who confirmed the latest move by the Federal Government in a statement, said Nigeria’s engagement with the US on the issue aligns with the law of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Annex 13, which bothers on “Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation.”
The DG further affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fully collaborating with the US agency, aiming for a thorough and conclusive investigation that would enhance transport safety in both Nigeria and the United States.
According to the NSIB statement, Chapter 5, Subsection 27 of the ICAO Annex 13 stipulates that a state having a special interest in an accident due to fatalities or serious injuries to its citizens is entitled to appoint an expert to “Visit the scene of the accident; have access to relevant information approved for public release by the state conducting the investigation, as well as information on the progress of the investigation; receive a copy of the final report.” “In tandem, the operations investigation group has commenced gathering crucial company information, including pilot records, flight dispatch records, and aircraft maintenance records. Moving forward, coordination is underway by the NTSB to transfer the wreckage to a secure location on Tuesday for in-depth examination and analysis scheduled.”
Meanwhile, the NTSB has also confirmed it has identified major components of the crashed helicopter, including electronic devices and onboard equipment, at the scene of the accident.
A Board Member at the NTSB, Michael Graham, stated that the team conducted aerial drone mapping and documented the wreckage, emphasising the agency’s commitment to a meticulous examination of the scene.
“Various electronic devices and onboard equipment were recovered at the scene for further examination and analysis,” he said, adding that the wreckage would be moved to a secure location on Tuesday for further examination and analysis.
He stated, “The debris field was approximately 100 yards in length”, highlighting that all major components of the crashed helicopter were located and identified at the accident site.
The investigator listed some of the components as: three main rotor blades, engine, tail rotor, landing gear, and skids.
Graham explained flight track data indicated the helicopter was traveling along Interstate 15, at an altitude of approximately 1000 to 1500 feet above ground level.
He further observed that toward the end of the flight, the track data showed a “slight right turn, turning south of the interstate, accompanied by a gradual descent and an increase in ground speed.”
The wreckage site, according to him, reveals the helicopter impacted the terrain at a “nose low and right bank angle.”
In a retrospective note, he recalled that during his initial briefing on the incident, he had mentioned witnesses reporting rain and a wintry mix at the crash location. He affirmed that this information was subsequently verified by his team.
“Our NTSB meteorologist through weather radar images and data can now support witness reports of precipitation at the time and location of the accident,” Graham said.
“We’re working with Orbic to schedule interviews with key personnel,” he added.
However, Access Holdings Plc on Monday announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.
A statement made by the company’s Board of Directors and dated February 12, 2024, stated that the appointment was subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
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