Late Dr Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive of the Access Corporation
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of prominent Nigerian businessman Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and friend Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with two crew members, on 9 February 2024. The report concludes that the accident was primarily caused by pilot error compounded by inadequate oversight from the operating company, Orbic Air, LLC.
The Airbus Helicopter EC130B4, registered as N130CZ, crashed near Halloran Springs, California, close to the Nevada border, during a charter flight from Palm Springs to Boulder City. All six individuals on board perished in the incident, which occurred under adverse weather conditions described as a mix of rain and snow. The victims included Wigwe, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).
According to the NTSB’s findings, the pilot’s decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules (VFR) despite encountering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) was the primary cause of the crash. The report states that the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent collision with the terrain. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter engulfed in flames before impact, with the wreckage leaving a shallow crater and debris scattered across 100 yards of desert scrub.
Further compounding the tragedy, the NTSB highlighted significant deficiencies in Orbic Air’s safety management processes. The investigation revealed that the company failed to ensure pilots adhered to critical safety procedures, including the accurate completion of flight risk assessments and proper documentation of maintenance issues. Notably, the helicopter’s radar altimeter was non-functional during the flight, an issue known to the pilot and the company’s Director of Maintenance but not addressed before departure. The report cites these lapses as contributing factors to the accident.
The helicopter, operating as a Part 135 charter flight, departed Palm Springs International Airport at 8:45 p.m. PST. Initial findings from the NTSB’s preliminary report, released in March 2024, noted that the aircraft suffered catastrophic damage upon impact, with major components fragmented. The investigation, which spanned over a year, involved collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), given the Airbus helicopter’s French manufacture.
Captain Alex Badeh, Director General of the NSIB, expressed condolences, describing the crash as a “colossal loss” to Nigeria. The NSIB’s involvement ensured Nigeria’s participation in the investigation, as granted by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Annex 13, due to the involvement of Nigerian citizens.
The NTSB’s comprehensive report, which took approximately 15 months to complete, underscores the importance of robust safety protocols in aviation. The findings are expected to prompt further scrutiny of charter flight operations and safety management systems in the United States and beyond. Updates on any regulatory actions or responses from Orbic Air, LLC, are anticipated as the industry reflects on this devastating incident.
