A final report by the United States National Transportation Safety Board has revealed that pilot error and a malfunctioning radar altimeter were key factors in the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and three others in February 2024.
The report, released on Wednesday, concluded that the pilot became disoriented after flying under visual flight rules (VFR) into poor weather conditions that required instrument-based navigation. According to investigators, this decision led to a loss of control and a fatal descent into rugged terrain near the California-Nevada border.
“The pilot’s choice to proceed with a VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions was the probable cause of the accident,” the report stated. “This resulted in spatial disorientation and eventual loss of control.”
In addition to pilot error, the NTSB cited serious lapses in the helicopter company’s safety management practices. The company, whose name was not disclosed in the report, was accused of failing to ensure that pilots properly assessed flight risks, addressed maintenance issues, and complied with standard safety protocols.
Significantly, investigators found that the helicopter’s radar altimeter — a key instrument used to determine altitude above the ground — was not functioning before the fatal flight. A mechanic had attempted to fix the issue prior to takeoff but was unsuccessful. Despite being aware of the malfunction, both the pilot and the director of maintenance allowed the helicopter to proceed on the positioning flight to pick up passengers.
“The radar altimeter remained non-functional, and yet the aircraft departed at 6:22 p.m.,” the report said. “There was no further discussion about the altimeter’s condition or the worsening weather between the pilot and the flight follower before the final leg of the trip.”
All six people on board were killed in the crash, including Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group. The tragedy sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s business and financial communities.
The NTSB report not only sheds light on the immediate causes of the crash but also raises questions about broader regulatory oversight and corporate responsibility in aviation safety.
“The failure to follow critical safety protocols reflects a systemic breakdown in operational oversight,” the board emphasized.
The findings are expected to prompt further reviews within the helicopter charter industry and may lead to stricter regulations around equipment maintenance and weather-related decision-making for pilots.