JUST IN: US Blame Pilot Error for Helicopter Crash That Killed Herbert Wigwe

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, their son, and family friend Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group.

According to the NTSB’s findings, the crash was primarily caused by pilot error in challenging weather conditions and inadequate operational oversight by the charter company. The report notes that the pilot continued the flight into worsening visibility near the Nevada-California border on February 9, 2024, despite the presence of snow and low clouds — a decision investigators say was "imprudent and ultimately fatal."

The agency also cited systemic lapses in the helicopter operator’s safety protocols, including insufficient risk assessment procedures and poor weather decision-making training for pilots.

The Bell 407 helicopter went down en route from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada. It crashed in a remote desert area with no survivors.

The NTSB’s report closes a critical chapter in the investigation and is expected to spark renewed conversations around aviation safety, especially in the private and charter flight sectors.

This tragic event sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s business and financial sectors, marking a painful loss of two highly respected corporate leaders and their loved ones.