US NTSB Report Points to Pilot Error and Weather in Wigwe Helicopter Tragedy

A United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report released today has concluded that the fatal helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, which tragically claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former NGX chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, was primarily caused by the pilot’s decision to fly under visual flight rules into adverse weather conditions. This decision, according to the NTSB, resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control of the aircraft near the California-Nevada border.

The NTSB investigation also identified “inadequate oversight” by the helicopter operator as a significant contributing factor to the devastating incident. The report highlighted failures in the company’s procedures, including insufficient pre-flight risk assessments, incomplete maintenance logging, and a lack of adherence to established safety protocols.

A critical finding of the investigation centered on the helicopter’s malfunctioning radar altimeter, an essential instrument for providing pilots with accurate altitude information. NTSB records revealed that the pilot was aware of the altimeter’s malfunction prior to the flight but elected to proceed nonetheless. Attempts by a mechanic to repair the faulty instrument proved unsuccessful, yet both the pilot and the Director of Maintenance knowingly authorized the flight to continue without a functioning altimeter.

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Furthermore, the report noted a crucial lapse in communication after the passengers were picked up. There was no exchange of information between the pilot and the flight follower regarding the non-operational altimeter or the worsening weather conditions. The helicopter, operating under visual flight rules (VFR), encountered weather conditions that necessitated instrument flight rules (IFR), ultimately leading to the fatal crash.
The aircraft involved, registered as N130CZ, was reportedly unable to cope with the conditions it encountered, for which it was no longer adequately equipped due to the pilot’s decision and the existing mechanical issues.

The death of Herbert Wigwe, alongside his wife, son, and Mr. Ogunbanjo, sent shockwaves across Nigeria and the international business community. The NTSB’s findings underscore critical failures in pilot judgment and safety oversight, shedding light on the factors that contributed to this profound loss.