The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Nigerian banking executive Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with two pilots.
The crash occurred on February 9, 2024, near Halloran Springs, California.
According to the NTSB, the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) into deteriorating weather conditions that required Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). This led to spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.
The report also highlighted inadequate company oversight by the operator, Orbic Air LLC, as a contributing factor. Specifically, the company failed to ensure that pilots were properly completing flight risk assessments, logging maintenance issues, and verifying that the helicopter met regulatory requirements before departure.
The Eurocopter EC130B4 helicopter departed from Palm Springs International Airport en route to Boulder City, Nevada. Witnesses reported adverse weather conditions, including rain and snow, at the time of the crash.
Several individuals traveling along Interstate 15 observed a “fireball” in the sky, prompting emergency calls. The wreckage was found in mountainous desert terrain, with debris scattered over a 300-foot area.
This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to flight regulations and the need for rigorous safety oversight by aviation operators.
The NTSB’s findings serve as a somber reminder of the potential consequences when safety protocols are not strictly followed.
