Revealed: What Really Brought Down Herbert Wigwe’s Helicopter — NTSB Speaks Out

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has finalized its investigation into the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings Plc CEO Herbert Wigwe, his family, and a prominent Nigerian businessman.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The fatal crash occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border, tragically killing Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

According to the final report obtained by TheCable, the NTSB attributed the accident primarily to the pilot’s decision to proceed under visual flight rules (VFR) despite flying into weather conditions that required instrument flight (IMC). The pilot likely became spatially disoriented due to poor visibility, resulting in a loss of control and the helicopter’s eventual impact with the terrain.

The investigation further exposed serious lapses in the helicopter operator’s safety protocols. The NTSB found that the company failed to properly oversee safety procedures, including ensuring pilots completed accurate flight risk assessments, reported maintenance issues, and complied with federal aviation regulations under Part 135.

Additionally, it was revealed that during the return leg of the journey, the pilot texted the Director of Maintenance (DOM) about a radar altimeter issue. Upon landing at the operations base, the pilot also discussed the problem with the flight follower, who doubled as the company’s president.

In its summary, the NTSB concluded:

“The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to continue flying under VFR into instrument meteorological conditions, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing factors included the company’s inadequate safety oversight, failure to log maintenance discrepancies, and non-compliance with Part 135 regulations.”