May 7, 2025 – SpringNewsNG Media Limited

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the February 2024 helicopter crash that killed Nigerian banking executive Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and others—attributing the fatal accident to pilot error and inadequate safety oversight by the charter company.

According to the report, the crash occurred after the pilot chose to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)—poor weather conditions where visual navigation is not possible. The NTSB concluded that this decision led to spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control, resulting in the tragic crash near the California-Nevada border.

The helicopter, a chartered Airbus EC130 (registration N130CZ), was en route to Las Vegas on February 9, 2024. It crashed, killing all six people onboard, including Herbert Wigwe, the former Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).

Key Findings From the NTSB Report:

• The primary cause of the crash was the pilot’s decision to proceed into unsafe weather under visual flight rules.
• The pilot likely became disoriented due to lack of visual cues, a condition known as spatial disorientation.
• The helicopter’s radar altimeter was non-functional, a critical issue known to both the pilot and maintenance staff prior to takeoff.
• The charter company failed to enforce safety protocols, including proper logging of mechanical issues and accurate pre-flight risk analysis.
• The company also failed to ensure compliance with FAA Part 135 regulations, which govern charter flight operations in the U.S.

Despite knowing the radar altimeter wasn’t working—a crucial instrument for determining altitude, especially in low-visibility conditions—the pilot and the director of maintenance decided to proceed with the flight.

The report further states that a mechanic attempted to troubleshoot the faulty altimeter before the flight but was unable to fix it. No decision was made to ground the aircraft, and weather conditions were reportedly not discussed in detail prior to departure.

Text messages and phone logs reviewed by investigators revealed that the pilot had communicated with the company’s flight operations staff about the altimeter, but no action was taken to delay or cancel the flight.

Why It Matters:

The NTSB’s findings point to systemic failures in aviation safety management and underscore the critical importance of operational discipline in the charter flight industry.

This incident serves as a stark reminder that even experienced pilots and reputable passengers are at risk when safety protocols are not strictly enforced.

The report concluded:

“The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the VFR flight into IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its safety management processes.”

Industry Impact:

Aviation experts say the crash has prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of charter flight regulations and better pilot training in handling IMC scenarios. Analysts also highlight the need for real-time monitoring of aircraft systems and more accountability in maintenance oversight.

As the aviation community reflects on the tragedy, the families of those lost—including that of one of Africa’s most influential banking figures—continue to seek closure and justice.