The tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, has been attributed to serious lapses in the safety management systems of the helicopter company involved. The Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), led by Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr., concluded that the crash, which occurred on February 9, 2024, near Halloran Springs, California, was not caused by pilot error, but by systemic issues within the company’s safety culture.
The Airbus EC130B4, operated by Orbic Air, LLC, was en route when it crashed. According to the final investigation report from the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the crash resulted from a combination of pilot disorientation, violations of flight protocols, and the company’s negligence in safety procedures. Notably, the decision to proceed with the flight under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions was deemed a critical factor.
In an interview with Arise TV’s Newsnight, Captain Badeh emphasized that the company’s safety management systems were at the heart of the incident. He stated, “It’s more of a company culture issue than pilot error,” noting that the pilot should have been more proactive in questioning the conditions and possibly delaying the flight. However, he also refrained from labeling the incident as negligence, suggesting that further examination was needed, especially considering the pressures involved with high-profile passengers.
The investigation’s findings highlight a crucial issue: while the pilot holds the final decision-making power in such situations, the systems and pressures surrounding the flight may have contributed to the tragedy. As the investigation continues, the spotlight remains on the company’s safety protocols and the broader operational culture that may have failed to prevent such a disaster.
