Officials Confirm 6 Fatalities in California Helicopter Crash

Helicopter Crash near California-Nevada Border

Tragic Incident Claims the Lives of All Onboard

A devastating helicopter crash occurred on Friday night near the California-Nevada border, resulting in the loss of all six individuals aboard. The authorities confirmed that there were no survivors. The victims included Herbert Wigwe, a prominent Nigerian banker.

Crash Details

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the Eurocopter EC130 helicopter crashed around 10 p.m. local time near Nipton, Calif., an unincorporated community located about 60 miles south of Las Vegas in eastern San Bernardino County.

Flight Route and Conditions

The ill-fated helicopter departed from Palm Springs, Calif., at 8:45 p.m. and was en route to Boulder City, Nev. According to Michael Graham, a board member with the National Transportation Safety Board, the charter flight crashed near Halloran Springs, Calif., around 10:08 p.m. Witnesses mentioned that the accident happened during rainy and wintry conditions.

Condolences and Identifications

Expressing condolences, Michael Graham stated, “I’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones affected by this terrible tragedy.” The names of the deceased will be disclosed once their identities have been confirmed and their families notified, as per officials.

A Visionary Leader Lost

Access Bank Plc, where Mr. Wigwe served as a director, confirmed his passing on Sunday morning. Describing him as a “visionary leader,” the bank expressed their profound grief and acknowledged his significant contributions to transforming the institution into one of Nigeria’s premier financial establishments. Mr. Wigwe was an alumnus of an executive program at Harvard Business School.

Investigation Underway

The helicopter flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC, based in Burbank, Calif. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking service, the helicopter was last sighted near Barstow, Calif., at 9:49 p.m. Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are currently investigating the crash.

Emma Bubola contributed reporting. Jack Begg contributed research.

Read More of this Story at www.nytimes.com – 2024-02-11 10:33:00