A new report by United States investigators has blamed pilot error and poor safety management by the helicopter company for the crash that killed Nigerian banker Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others.
The crash happened on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border. Wigwe, who was the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, died alongside his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in its final report, said the crash was caused by the pilot’s decision to fly under visual flight rules even though the weather conditions required instruments for safe flying.
“The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while maneuvering the helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which led to his loss of helicopter control and the resulting collision with terrain,” the NTSB stated.
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The report also criticized the helicopter company for failing to follow safety procedures. It said the company did not make sure that pilots carried out proper risk checks, reported maintenance problems, or followed rules before takeoff.
Investigators discovered that a key piece of equipment—the radar altimeter—was not working before the flight. This device helps the pilot know how far the helicopter is from the ground, especially in poor visibility.
The report revealed that the pilot had sent a text message to the company’s maintenance director before the crash, complaining about the radar altimeter. A company mechanic tried to fix it but failed.
“The mechanic reported that the pilot and the director of maintenance were aware that the radar altimeter was not functioning, yet they departed at 6:22 p.m. to pick up the passengers,” the report said.
The NTSB also found that the pilot and the company’s flight follower exchanged messages after picking up the passengers, but they did not talk about the faulty equipment or the poor weather.