The final investigation report from the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that the tragic helicopter crash which killed former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and three others was the result of pilot error and systemic lapses by the helicopter operator. The crash occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border.
In its conclusive findings released on Wednesday, the NTSB determined that the pilot fatally misjudged the weather conditions, continuing to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) even as the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)—a decision that led to spatial disorientation and ultimately, a loss of control.
According to the report, “The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of control.” Investigators explained that the disorientation likely set in while the pilot was attempting to maneuver the aircraft through low visibility, heavy precipitation, and challenging terrain, contributing directly to the fatal crash.
However, the pilot’s actions were not the only factors blamed. The NTSB also faulted the operating company, Orbic Air LLC, for what it described as a serious lack of operational oversight and failure to enforce safety protocols. The report criticized the firm’s safety management practices, especially its neglect of proper preflight risk assessments and maintenance documentation.
One of the most significant technical failures highlighted in the report was the non-functioning radar altimeter—a critical instrument used to determine the helicopter’s altitude above ground level. The investigation found that the pilot had earlier reported problems with the altimeter to the company’s maintenance team via text messages. Although a company mechanic attempted to troubleshoot the issue, the instrument was never repaired.
Despite knowing that the radar altimeter was not working, both the pilot and the company’s Director of Maintenance proceeded with the flight. The report emphasized that neither the faulty equipment nor the deteriorating weather conditions were addressed before the aircraft took off to pick up passengers that evening.
“The pilot and the Director of Maintenance were aware that the radar altimeter was not functioning, yet they chose to depart on the positioning flight,” the report noted. Further compounding the issue, communication logs showed that after the passengers boarded, the pilot and the company’s flight follower exchanged messages but failed to discuss either the equipment status or weather conditions.
The crash claimed the lives of all six individuals on board, including Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc. The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered as N130CZ, was on a chartered flight when it went down in rugged terrain during a stormy night.
Aviation experts have noted that spatial disorientation is a known hazard when pilots operate under VFR in conditions that demand reliance on instruments. Without a functioning radar altimeter and with minimal visibility, the pilot was effectively flying blind in a high-risk environment.
The NTSB’s findings have intensified scrutiny of Orbic Air’s safety practices and could lead to further regulatory actions. Industry observers also believe the report underscores the broader importance of stringent equipment maintenance and adherence to weather-related flight rules in the charter aviation sector.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s business and financial communities, particularly due to Wigwe’s prominence as a visionary banker and philanthropist.
