Why Wigwe’s helicopter crashed — U S Transport Board reveals

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded that the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and three others, was caused by pilot error stemming from spatial disorientation.

The final NTSB report, released on Wednesday, also faulted the helicopter operator for inadequate oversight of its safety management protocols, contributing to the fatal incident.

According to the report, the helicopter—registered as N130CZ—was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) when it entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which require different flight procedures and instrumentation. The pilot’s decision to continue flying under VFR in unsuitable weather led to spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.

The tragic crash occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border, killing all six people on board. Among the victims were Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, alongside Wigwe and his immediate family.

Investigators found that the helicopter company failed to enforce key safety protocols, including mandatory pre-flight risk assessments, proper documentation of maintenance issues, and compliance with regulatory standards. One major lapse identified in the report was the non-functional radar altimeter—a critical navigation instrument—which the pilot had previously reported but chose to ignore.

The report revealed that prior to the crash, the pilot had informed the company’s maintenance director about issues with the radar altimeter. Although a mechanic attempted to troubleshoot the fault, the problem remained unresolved. Despite this, the pilot and the company’s director of maintenance proceeded with the flight at 6:22 p.m. to pick up the passengers.

The NTSB stated: “The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while manoeuvring the helicopter in IMC, which led to his loss of helicopter control and the resulting collision with terrain.”

Further examination showed that there was no documented discussion between the pilot and the flight follower about either the altimeter malfunction or worsening weather conditions prior to takeoff.

This final report underscores systemic safety management failures and pilot misjudgment as key contributors to the accident that shocked Nigeria’s corporate and financial sectors.