The United States has officially shared the report of the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others with the Nigerian government.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Alex Badeh, confirmed this in an interview. He said the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) handed over the report in line with international aviation rules.
Wigwe, who was the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, died in the crash along with his wife, Doreen, their son, Chizi, and a former NGX Group chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo. Two pilots also died in the crash, which happened on February 9, 2024, near Halloran Springs, California.
The helicopter, an Airbus EC130B4, was operated by Orbic Air, LLC.
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According to the NTSB final report, the crash was caused by pilot disorientation and failure to follow proper flight procedures. The pilot had continued flying under visual rules despite poor weather conditions that required instrument navigation.
When asked if Nigerian investigators were satisfied with the US report, Badeh explained that accident reports are not meant to assign blame but to improve safety.
“The NTSB shared the report directly with the NSIB as we are interested parties and in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 protocols,” he said.
He added, “We do not necessarily comment on accident reports as they are not to ascertain blame but to improve safety and prevent reoccurrence.”
Badeh also confirmed that the families of the victims were in touch with the NTSB throughout the investigation.
“The family of the deceased has been in contact with the NTSB at the time of the accident till the close of the investigation,” he said.
When asked what the NSIB would do next, Badeh declined to comment.
Meanwhile, aviation experts in Nigeria told The PUNCH that the US government may file criminal negligence charges against Orbic Air, the operator of the crashed helicopter. A judicial panel of inquiry is expected to look into the case and determine any punishments or liabilities.