Wigwe: U.S., Nigeria to partner in unravelling cause of helicopter crash

With the investigation ongoing on the helicopter that claimed Dr. Herbert Wigwe and five others, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it is partnering with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to intensify the progress of the investigation.

This was disclosed in a statement by Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, NTSB’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Monday, a copy of which was given to PerSecondNews.

After the accident, the Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, initiated contact with NTSB in accordance with Chapter 5 Subsection 27 of ICAO’s Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation-Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, which grants a state (nation) special interest in an accident involving its citizens.

The section reads: “5.27 A state which has a special interest in an accident by virtue of fatalities or serious injuries to its citizens shall be entitled to appoint an expert who shall be entitled to.

“Visit the scene of the accident; have access to the relevant information which is approved for public release by the state conducting the investigation and information on the progress of the investigation; and receive a copy of the final report.”

The NSIB said that the ICAO’s Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Law, therefore, granted Nigeria the prerogative to appoint an expert to actively participate in the investigation.

“This participation ensures access to relevant information and facilitates cooperation with the investigating authorities towards ensuring the investigation reaches a conclusive outcome.

The ongoing discussion between the NSIB and NTSB has highlighted the diligent investigation efforts of the NTSB. NTSB investigators were present at the crash scene in Halloran Springs, California, on Saturday to collect evidence and conduct initial on-scene documentation.

“The documentation process included aerial mapping of the wreckage with a drone and site measurements.

“Correspondence between the NSIB and NTSB further revealed that the NTSB investigation into the crash is being led by Aaron Sauer as the investigator in charge, supported by Mark Ward as the deputy investigator in charge.

“Several other NTSB investigators will also be examining various aspects of the accident, including airworthiness and maintenance structures, operations, meteorology, and air traffic control,” the NSIB said.

Persecondnews reported that the CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, as well as a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc., Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, died in a helicopter crash in California, United States, as confirmed by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the Access Holdings Plc.