NTSB Releases Final Report on Crash That Killed Herbert Wigwe and Family— Blames Pilot and Weather
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its final report on the helicopter cr+sh that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former NGX chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo on February 9, 2024.
According to the report, the cr+sh was caused by the pilot’s decision to fly visually into p++r weather conditions, leading to spatial disorientation and loss of control. The flight, which took place near the California-Nevada border, ended in tragedy with all six onboard losing their lives.
The NTSB also cited “inadequate oversight” by the helicopter company as a contributing factor. Investigators found that the operator failed to ensure proper pre-flight risk assessments, maintenance logging, and compliance with safety protocols.
A major issue was the helicopter’s faulty radar altimeter—a key instrument for altitude awareness. Records show that the pilot was aware the altimeter wasn’t working but chose to proceed with the flight anyway.
The mechanic had attempted a fix but couldn’t resolve the issue, and both the pilot and Director of Maintenance knowingly continued without it.
Notably, after picking up passengers, there was no communication about the altimeter’s status or the deteriorating weather between the pilot and flight follower. The helicopter, flying under visual flight rules, entered weather conditions that required instrument navigation, leading to the fatal cr+sh.
The aircraft, registered as N130CZ, failed under conditions it was no longer safely equipped to handle.
Herbert Wigwe’s d£ath, along with those of his loved ones, has been mourned across Nigeria and beyond. The NTSB’s report underscores critical lapses in decision-making and safety oversight that led to this devastating loss.