Criminal Charges Loom Over U.S. Helicopter Firm As Wigwe Death Probe Heats Up

The operators of the helicopter that crashed, killing former Access Holdings Group CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and three others, may soon face criminal charges in the United States, according to aviation experts.

The tragic incident occurred on February 9, 2024, when an Airbus EC130B4, operated by Orbic Air, LLC under Part 135 of the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations, went down near Halloran Springs, California. The crash claimed the lives of Wigwe, his family, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots.

A final report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited “pilot disorientation” and a breach of flight protocols as primary causes of the accident. The flight, conducted under visual flight rules despite poor weather conditions, also involved a previously reported malfunctioning radar altimeter, which may have contributed to the disaster.

Aviation professionals now suggest the U.S. government may pursue charges of criminal negligence against Orbic Air. A judicial panel is expected to assess the level of liability and recommend potential legal actions against the company.

Captain Muhammed Badamasi, a retired Nigeria Airways pilot, told Punch that the matter has entered legal territory. “The inquiry will establish whether the crash was due to safety violations by the operator. If proven, it becomes a judicial matter, and criminal charges could follow,” he explained.

He also noted that any legal proceedings would occur in the United States and likely involve oversight from agencies such as the FAA, NTSB, and potentially Nigerian regulators like the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

Capt. Ado Sanusi, MD of Aero Contractors, echoed this view, stating that once the investigation concludes, legal authorities will determine whether prosecution is warranted based on the findings. “If negligence is confirmed, it falls within their mandate to prosecute,” he said.

The NTSB found that the aircraft had experienced a radar altimeter fault earlier that same day during a repositioning flight. Despite this safety issue, the helicopter was cleared for a passenger journey, which ended in tragedy.

Aviation analyst Chris Aligbe emphasized that the global aviation industry is increasingly intolerant of negligence. “There was a time when such incidents went unpunished, but those days are over. Accountability is now paramount,” he said.

Legal experts believe the outcome of this case could mark a significant precedent for safety enforcement in private air charter operations worldwide.