The US NTSB concluded that the February 2024 helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, his family, and three others was caused by pilot error due to spatial disorientation. The report states that the pilot continued flying under visual rules into bad weather conditions, leading to loss of control.
The NTSB also criticized the helicopter company for inadequate safety oversight, particularly in risk assessments, maintenance records, and regulatory compliance. The crash occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border, killing all six onboard, including Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former Nigerian Exchange Group chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo. The investigation found that the pilot likely became disoriented in poor weather conditions, losing control of the helicopter and crashing. Additionally, the report noted that the helicopter’s radar altimeter was not operational at the time, compromising safety.
The pilot had previously informed the maintenance director about issues with the radar altimeter. Despite a mechanic’s unsuccessful attempts to fix it, both the pilot and the maintenance director knew the device was non-functional but proceeded with the flight. After picking up passengers, they exchanged messages but did not discuss the altimeter’s status or weather conditions.