Poor weather judgment and a critical equipment failure led to the helicopter crash that killed former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, according to the final report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The crash occurred in February 2024 near the California-Nevada border. The NTSB found that the pilot chose to continue flying under visual flight rules (VFR) despite worsening weather, causing the aircraft to enter instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). This led to spatial disorientation and loss of control.
Investigators also revealed that the helicopter’s radar altimeter—a critical instrument for low-altitude flight—was not working before the fatal trip. The pilot had previously reported the issue to the director of maintenance via text, and although a mechanic attempted repairs, the problem remained unresolved.
Despite knowing the altimeter was faulty, the pilot and maintenance director allowed the flight to proceed at 6:22 p.m. to pick up passengers. Afterward, the pilot exchanged messages with a flight follower, but neither the equipment issue nor the weather conditions were discussed.
The NTSB concluded that the pilot’s decision to fly in unsafe weather conditions, combined with the known malfunction of the radar altimeter, were key factors in the fatal crash.
