NTSB Shares Final Report with Nigeria Following Helicopter Crash That Killed Herbert Wigwe, Family, and Others

The Late Herbert Wigwe

The Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officially shared the final investigation report of the February 9, 2024, helicopter crash that killed former Access Holdings Plc Group CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots.

NSIB Director-General, Alex Badeh, disclosed that the report was shared in accordance with international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13. He stated that the NSIB, as an interested party, received the report directly from the NTSB but reiterated that the agency does not comment on investigation reports since their purpose is to improve aviation safety, not to assign blame.

The helicopter involved, an Airbus EC130B4 operated by Orbic Air, LLC, crashed near Halloran Springs, California. It was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand charter flight. The NTSB’s final report identified pilot disorientation and the decision to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) as the primary causes of the accident.

The report detailed that the pilot continued the flight despite poor weather conditions, resulting in spatial disorientation and eventual loss of control. Contributing factors included Orbic Air’s inadequate oversight of safety protocols, failure to ensure flight risk assessments were completed accurately, unresolved maintenance discrepancies, and allowing the aircraft to operate despite non-compliance with Part 135 regulations.

In the days before the accident, the aircraft underwent maintenance involving the radar altimeter, a crucial instrument for flight operations. On the day of the crash, the pilot noted that the radar altimeter was still not functioning. Despite being advised that the helicopter could not depart without it, the pilot, with knowledge of the malfunction, proceeded with the flight at 18:22 to pick up the passengers.

About two minutes before the crash, the helicopter’s altitude and airspeed increased while veering slightly off-course. It then entered a right turn and a rapid descent, crashing into the terrain. Witnesses traveling nearby reported seeing a fireball and described poor weather conditions, including rain and snow.

Search and rescue efforts were hampered by the adverse weather, and the wreckage—highly fragmented and deemed non-survivable—was located nearly two hours later. A post-accident examination found no signs of pre-impact mechanical failure. The engine showed signs of powered operation at impact, but damage to all avionics and electronic devices prevented data recovery.

Badeh further confirmed that the families of the victims had been in contact with the NTSB throughout the investigation. However, he declined to comment on future legal or procedural actions, noting that such decisions do not fall within the NSIB’s mandate.

Aviation experts in Nigeria have speculated that the U.S. government may initiate criminal negligence proceedings against Orbic Air. If pursued, a judicial panel could evaluate the company’s liability and determine potential sanctions for regulatory failures and operational oversights.