The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the tragic helicopter crash that killed former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his family, and business associate Abimbola Ogunbanjo in February 2024. The findings highlight critical safety oversights and pilot decisions that led to the disaster.
Key Details of the Crash
- Date:February 9, 2024
- Location:Near the California-Nevada border
- Victims: Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo
- Aircraft: Helicopter operated under Part 135 regulations
The NTSB’s Findings: What Caused the Crash?
1. Pilot’s Decision to Fly into Hazardous Weather
The NTSB determined the primary cause was the pilot’s choice to continue flying under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), including poor visibility and clouds. This led to spatial disorientation—a loss of situational awareness—resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
2. Safety Management Failures by the Helicopter Company
The report criticized the operator’s lax safety protocols:
- Incomplete Risk Assessments: Pilots failed to update flight risk analyses.
- Ignored Maintenance Issues:Non-functional radar altimeter (critical for low-altitude navigation) was not repaired before departure.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance: The helicopter did not meet Part 135 operational standards.
3. Communication Breakdowns
- The pilot alerted the Director of Maintenance (DOM) about the faulty radar altimeter via text but proceeded with the flight despite the unresolved issue.
- No discussion of weather conditions or equipment status occurred between the pilot and company leadership before takeoff.
Missed Red Flags Before the Fatal Flight
- Radar Altimeter Failure: Mechanics identified the malfunction during troubleshooting but could not fix it. The helicopter departed with the defective system.
- Poor Oversight: Company executives, including the president (who also acted as flight follower), failed to address known risks or enforce safety protocols.
Lessons from the Tragedy
The NTSB emphasized the need for:
1. Stricter Adherence to Weather Guidelines: Pilots must avoid transitioning VFR flights into IMC without proper instrumentation.
2. Robust Safety Oversight: Companies must enforce real-time risk assessments, maintenance logs, and regulatory compliance.
3. Transparent Communication:Critical system failures or weather risks should ground flights until resolved.
Conclusion: A Preventable Disaster
Herbert Wigwe’s helicopter crash underscores the catastrophic consequences of ignoring aviation safety protocols. As investigations conclude, the NTSB urges operators to prioritize systemic oversight and pilot training to prevent future tragedies.
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