The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded that the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others was caused by pilot error stemming from spatial disorientation.
In its final report released on Wednesday, the NTSB also blamed the helicopter operator for inadequate safety oversight, including poor management of flight risk assessments and failure to address known maintenance issues.
The crash occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border. The victims included Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group.
According to the report, the helicopter—registered as N130CZ—was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) when it encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which require different piloting techniques and equipment.
Investigators stated, “The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to continue VFR into IMC, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of control.”
The NTSB found that the radar altimeter, a critical instrument for low-visibility flying, was already known to be faulty before the flight. A mechanic attempted repairs but failed to restore its functionality. Despite this, the pilot and maintenance director proceeded with the flight, in violation of safety protocols.
Furthermore, communications between the pilot and the company’s flight follower failed to address either the malfunctioning altimeter or deteriorating weather conditions, highlighting lapses in pre-flight safety coordination.
The NTSB criticized the helicopter operator for not enforcing strict safety checks, saying the company allowed flights to proceed without verifying maintenance records or conducting comprehensive risk assessments.
The findings shed light on multiple layers of negligence that contributed to the fatal crash, emphasizing the need for stricter adherence to aviation safety standards.
