Cause of Wigwe’s helicopter crash revealed

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded its investigation into the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

In a final aviation report obtained by TheCable, the NTSB identified pilot error and inadequate company safety oversight as the key factors that led to the fatal crash on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border.

Flight into Dangerous Weather Conditions
The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 (registration N130CZ), was en route under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) when it entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)—weather conditions requiring instrument-based navigation due to poor visibility.

According to the NTSB, the pilot’s decision to continue flying visually in such low-visibility conditions likely led to spatial disorientation, causing a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the mountainous terrain. All six occupants aboard perished in the crash.

“The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of control,” the report stated.

Troubling Oversight and Safety Lapses
In its detailed findings, the NTSB also criticized the helicopter operator’s failure to enforce safety protocols, including:

Incomplete or outdated flight risk assessments

Poor documentation of maintenance issues

Non-compliance with Part 135 federal aviation regulations for commercial operators

One notable revelation was that prior to the fatal return flight, the pilot texted the company’s Director of Maintenance (DOM) to report an issue with the radar altimeter, a key safety instrument. Although the problem was discussed on return to base, it remains unclear if it was resolved before the crash.

“Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its safety management processes,” the NTSB noted.

The helicopter company’s internal communication also came under scrutiny, with investigators pointing to insufficient coordination between flight operations, maintenance, and management, including the flight follower, who also doubled as the company’s president.

A Tragic Loss for Nigeria’s Business Community
The deaths of Herbert Wigwe, the former Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s corporate and financial sectors. Wigwe, widely regarded as a visionary banker and philanthropist, had been instrumental in transforming Access Bank into a pan-African financial powerhouse.

The crash also claimed the lives of his wife and son, magnifying the personal and national tragedy.

With the NTSB report now public, attention is expected to shift to potential legal and regulatory repercussions for the helicopter operator. Aviation experts have called for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and better risk assessment standards for chartered flights, especially under VFR in challenging weather.