The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded its investigation into the February 2024 helicopter crash that killed Nigerian banking executive Herbert Wigwe, his family, and business associate Abimbola Ogunbanjo, attributing the accident to the pilot’s decision to continue flying in deteriorating weather conditions with a malfunctioning altitude system.
According to the final report released Wednesday, the Airbus EC130B4 helicopter (registered N130CZ) crashed near the California-Nevada border after the pilot persisted with visual flight rules (VFR) despite entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that caused spatial disorientation. The aircraft was transporting Wigwe, former CEO of Access Holdings; his wife Doreen; son Chizi; and Ogunbanjo, former Nigerian Exchange Group chairman, when it went down.
Critical Safety Failures Revealed
The investigation uncovered alarming operational lapses:
- The helicopter’s radar altimeter – a crucial instrument for measuring altitude – had been non-functional since an earlier flight, with the pilot texting maintenance about the issue hours before the fatal trip
- Despite mechanics being unable to fix the equipment, the aircraft was cleared for the ill-fated charter flight
- No discussion occurred between the pilot and flight team about either the faulty equipment or worsening weather before takeoff
“The pilot’s continued VFR flight into IMC resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of control,” the NTSB stated, noting the night conditions and mountainous terrain compounded the danger. The board emphasized that proper instrument flight training and adherence to maintenance protocols could have prevented the tragedy.
The crash, which shocked Nigeria’s financial and political circles, occurred during a business trip to the United States. Wigwe (57) was a towering figure in African banking, having transformed Access Bank into a continental powerhouse before his untimely death.
Aviation safety experts reacting to the findings criticized the apparent disregard for safety protocols. “This was a preventable accident,” said Captain Demola Olateju, a Lagos-based aviation consultant. “When critical instruments fail and weather deteriorates, the only responsible decision is to delay the flight.”
The NTSB report is expected to prompt stricter enforcement of maintenance and flight operation standards for private charters in the U.S. and serve as a cautionary case study for aviation regulators globally, including Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority.
Families of the victims could not immediately be reached for comment on the investigation’s outcome. Memorial services for the Wigwes and Ogunbanjo last year drew Nigeria’s political and business elite, underscoring the profound impact of their deaths on the nation’s corporate landscape.
