Pilot Error, Equipment Failure Blamed for Crash That Killed Herbert Wigwe – U.S. Report

The deadly helicopter crash that killed Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo resulted from pilot error and defective equipment, as detailed in a final report issued by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on May 7, 2025.

The incident took place on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border. The NTSB determined that the pilot persisted with visual flight rules (VFR) despite worsening weather conditions that necessitated instrument flight procedures. This choice caused the pilot to suffer spatial disorientation, leading to a loss of control and the helicopter’s impact with the ground.

The report also pointed out major deficiencies in the helicopter operator’s safety management. Investigators noted that the company failed to properly manage safety procedures, including flight risk evaluations, maintenance records, and adherence to aviation regulations.

A key piece of equipment, the helicopter’s radar altimeter, was inoperative during the flight. The pilot had previously flagged issues with this device to the company’s maintenance director. Despite unsuccessful attempts to fix it, both the pilot and the maintenance director chose to proceed with the flight, knowing the equipment was faulty.

Additionally, after collecting the charter passengers, there was no documented communication between the pilot and the company’s flight follower about the defective equipment or the current weather conditions. The NTSB stressed that these lapses played a significant role in the tragic incident.

All six individuals aboard the helicopter, registered as N130CZ, perished in the crash. The NTSB’s conclusions highlight the vital need for rigorous compliance with flight safety standards and proper equipment maintenance to avoid such disasters.