US Helicopter Company May Face Criminal Charges Following Crash That Killed Herbert Wigwe

The operators of the helicopter that killed former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife, son, and three others in February 2024, may soon face criminal charges in the United States, according to aviation industry experts and operators.

The crash involved an Airbus EC130B4 helicopter operated by Orbic Air, LLC, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The incident occurred near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9, 2024.

Onboard were Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots, all of whom tragically died in the crash.

A final report from the US National Transportation Safety Board cited “pilot disorientation” and the violation of flight protocols, particularly the decision to continue under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions, as major contributing factors to the crash.

Additionally, a faulty radar altimeter, previously flagged during a repositioning flight earlier that day, was also found to be a contributing cause.

Aviation professionals in Nigeria suggest that the US government is likely to bring charges of criminal negligence against Orbic Air in connection with the crash, with a judicial panel of inquiry expected to be involved.

The panel will review the case to assess the level of liability and determine the appropriate punishment for the helicopter company.

In an interview, Capt. Muhammed Badamasi, a retired pilot from the defunct Nigeria Airways, stated that the matter has already become a legal issue, with the state acting as the plaintiff and the helicopter company as the defendant.

He said, “It’s already a legal matter. The panel of inquiry will determine whether the crash and the resultant deaths were due to a breach of the company’s safety protocols. If so, it becomes a judicial issue, and charges may follow.”

Badamasi further explained that any legal proceedings would take place in the US. He noted that agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and representatives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau could be involved as interested parties.