Access Bank confirms Herbert Wigwe’s death, as details of crash emerge
By Emma Ogbuehi
Access Bank Plc. has finally confirmed the death of the chief executive officer, Herbert Wigwe.
This is as details of how the helicopter crash that claimed not only his life but those of his wife, son, and three others emerged on Sunday.
Wigwe died in a helicopter crash on Friday with his wife, son, and a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc., Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
In a terse statement on its official social media pages, the bank said: “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.”
Also, the bank in a statement on Sunday signed by the company’s group secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, confirmed the unfortunate incident.
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“It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc. (‘the Company’) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’).
“Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024, in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.”
Details of crash
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has provided details on the fatal helicopter crash.
The NTSB is an agency charged by the US Congress to investigate every civil aviation accident and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation across the United States of America.
The details were provided by a board member with the NTSB, Michael Graham, alongside the investigator in charge of the incident, Aaron Sours, at a press briefing in Barstow, California.
Graham confirmed that the two crew members and four passengers on board the aircraft were fatally injured and that there was a report of a fire outbreak when the helicopter crashed.
He said: “As far as we know, from what was reported from witnesses that there was fire when the aircraft did contact the terrain
He explained that they have a representative from the NTSB’s Transportation Disaster Assistance division at the scene and that she is currently working with the family members of those who lost their lives.
He said: “We currently have a meteorologist working on our team and we were working to analyse and get the exact weather conditions at that time. Of course, that’s out in the middle of the desert so we’ll have to find the closest reporting stations nearby to be able to give an accurate report.
Speaking further, Graham said they are working at the incident scene to gather evidence.
“Our team methodically and systematically reviews all evidence and considers all potential factors to determine the probable cause,” he said.
Graham said a full NTSB investigative report and investigation will last 12 to 24 months before a final report is published.
He explained that additional details about the accident included the crew which consisted of a pilot in command and a safety pilot. The NTSB said the accident flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC as a part 135 Charter flight.
The investigators said witness reports of the weather conditions at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix.
“The helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. This helicopter was not required to be equipped with those types of recording devices,” he said.
Graham said their investigators will be examining airworthiness to include maintenance and structures of the helicopter, operations, meteorology and air traffic control.
He listed parties to the ongoing investigation to include the FAA and Orbic Air LLC, adding that as the investigation continues, other parties could be named.
The official disclosed that the French aviation accident investigation agency will serve as an accredited representative of the investigation because France is a state of the manufacturer of the Airbus helicopter and the Turbomeca engine.
“Both Airbus helicopters and Turbomeca engines will serve as technical advisors to the investigation,” he noted.
He said the planned activities for the investigation will include travelling to the accident site to conduct the initial on-the-scene documentation, including aerial mapping of the wreckage with a drone and site measurements.