The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has disclosed it will not jump into any conclusions over the horror helicopter crash that claimed the life of Herbert Wigwe.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NTSB is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States of America (USA).
Speaking on Saturday night at a news conference, Michael Graham of the NTSB disclosed that investigation into the helicopter crash that resulted in the death of Wigwe will be a long process.
“This is the beginning of a long process. We will not jump to any conclusions. We expressed our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy,” Graham said.
He disclosed that the crash happened south of I-15 near Halloran Springs Road, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northeast of Barstow
Graham said he did not have information about the two crew members, a pilot and a safety pilot.
“The aircraft did not have a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder and was not required to have them,” he added.
The Airbus EC-130 left Palm Springs Airport at around 8:45 p.m. on Friday and was travelling to Boulder City, Nevada, Graham said.
Boulder City is about 26 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas, where the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers are set to play in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday [today].
It was a charter flight operated by Orbic Air LLC.
Several people travelling on I-15 witnessed the crash and called 911, Graham said, and he urged them to contact the NTSB with more details, including photos and videos.
“Witnesses reported that it was raining with a “wintry mix” at the time of the crash, according to Graham. People also reported a fire on the helicopter plus some downed power lines,” Graham said.
TNG reports Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group, also died in the helicopter crash.