The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has formally indicted a helicopter company for negligence in the tragic crash that claimed the life of former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, along with five others, including his wife, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
In its final report released this May, the NTSB attributed the February 9, 2024, crash near the California-Nevada border to “pilot’s spatial disorientation” after flying into poor weather conditions. However, the report went further to implicate the helicopter firm, faulting it for grossly inadequate oversight of its safety management systems.
According to the 26-page report, the accident helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered as N130CZ, was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) in conditions that had rapidly deteriorated into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which require special instrumentation and training. The decision to continue flying visually despite the deteriorating weather led to the pilot losing spatial orientation, ultimately causing the crash.
“The pilot’s decision to proceed under VFR into IMC led to spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control,” the NTSB stated.
The damning report highlighted that the helicopter company had failed to enforce critical pre-flight risk assessments and allowed flights to proceed despite unresolved maintenance issues. A significant finding was that the aircraft’s radar altimeter — an essential navigation aid — was inoperative before the flight. The malfunction had been communicated via text to the company’s maintenance director by the pilot days before the accident.
“A company mechanic attempted to troubleshoot the issue but was unsuccessful,” the report read. “Despite knowing the radar altimeter remained faulty, the pilot and the Director of Maintenance allowed the aircraft to proceed on the positioning flight to pick up passengers.”
Additionally, the NTSB found no record of any discussion between the pilot and company flight follower about the non-functioning radar altimeter or weather conditions prior to departure. The failure to emphasize these two critical elements—equipment readiness and environmental safety—was a clear breach of aviation safety protocol.
Aviation experts say the findings reflect a systemic failure in the operator’s safety culture. “This goes beyond pilot error,” said a U.S.-based aviation analyst, Thomas Kent. “When a company allows flights with non-functional safety instruments and underplays weather risks, it’s a ticking time bomb.”
The NTSB report calls on the helicopter operator to review and reform its safety oversight, risk analysis, and maintenance tracking systems. It also emphasized the need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase regulatory pressure on charter helicopter companies operating under Part 135, the rule governing non-scheduled air taxi services.
The crash left Nigeria reeling, having lost some of its most accomplished individuals in one tragedy. Dr. Herbert Wigwe was widely recognized for transforming Access Bank into a pan-African financial institution. His wife, Doreen, was a notable advocate for education and women’s empowerment. Their son, Chizi, and family friend Abimbola Ogunbanjo were also onboard the ill-fated flight.
In response to the findings, a spokesperson for Access Holdings reiterated the institution’s deep grief and called for full implementation of the NTSB’s recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
While the NTSB does not possess prosecutorial powers, its findings are expected to inform any lawsuits that may arise from the families of the victims. Legal experts predict that the indictment could pave the way for substantial compensatory claims and tighter regulatory reforms in the U.S. and internationally.
As Nigeria and the global business community continue to mourn the loss, the report shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked safety practices in private aviation — and the heavy price of neglect.