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Some agencies in the United States have commenced an investigation into the helicopter crash involving the Access CEO and his family.
The agencies, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are probing the helicopter crash near the California-Nevada border.
The incident, involving a Eurocopter EC 130, happened in the Mojave Desert around 10 p.m. local time on Friday, February 9, near Nipton, California.
According to the FAA, the crash had six people on board. However, casualty details were not disclosed. Both agencies confirmed their joint investigation in a statement provided to journalists on Saturday.
"The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates," the statement read.
Sources indicated that the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Holding, Herbert Wigwe was among those involved in the crash. Still, the official casualty count remains undisclosed by US authorities.
The Public Affairs Specialist at the FAA, Rick Breitenfeldt has advised reaching out to local authorities for passenger information. Wigwe was reportedly en route to attend the Super Bowl event in Las Vegas, scheduled for Sunday.
Also speaking, the president of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma confirmed Wigwe's involvement in the crash, and expressed condolences for the loss.
Wigwe's recent initiatives included plans to invest $500 million in Wigwe University, focused on finance and technology sector skills in Nigeria. The 57-year-old business tycoon has announced that the university would commence undergraduate admissions this year.
