Renowned aviation lawyer Robert Clifford of Clifford Law Offices in Chicago has raised concerns over the recent helicopter crash in California that claimed the lives of prominent Nigerians, including Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe. In a press statement on Wednesday, Clifford suggested that the tragedy might have been prevented given the known weather conditions at the time of the crash.
The fatal accident occurred when an Airbus Helicopter EC130B4, carrying six occupants, crashed at a border town between California and Nevada. Among the victims were Wigwe, his wife Doreen, his son Chizi, and former Nigerian Stock Exchange Group Chairman Abimola Ogunbanjo.
Clifford’s remarks come amid an ongoing investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The agency has swiftly moved the aircraft wreckage to another location for comprehensive laboratory examination and analysis. A preliminary report is anticipated within four weeks, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A seasoned attorney with experience in aviation disasters, Clifford expressed dismay over the decision to take off in adverse weather conditions. He emphasized the importance of the NTSB’s investigation in determining whether the crash could have been avoided and highlighted the tragic loss of innocent lives in aviation disasters.
Meanwhile, the NTSB has urged the Federal Aviation Administration to mandate the retrofitting of existing airplanes with cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders. This call to action follows a recent Alaska Airlines accident where crucial data was overwritten, hampering investigations into safety issues.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stressed the importance of preserving cockpit voice recorder data, emphasizing that overwritten recordings could hinder efforts to address safety concerns effectively.
As the investigation into the California helicopter crash unfolds, attention remains focused on uncovering the root causes of the tragedy and implementing measures to enhance aviation safety standards.
