Helicopter Company May Face Criminal Charges Over Crash That Killed Herbert Wigwe, Wife, Son, and Others

 

The U.S.-based helicopter company Orbic Air, LLC may soon face criminal charges over the February 2024 crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, former Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, his wife, son, and three others.

The tragic accident happened on February 9, 2024, when an Airbus EC130B4 helicopter operated by Orbic Air crashed near Halloran Springs, California. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, which covers charter and commercial helicopter services.

Those on board included Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their first son Chizi, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots. Sadly, no one survived the crash.

According to the final report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the crash was caused mainly by pilot disorientation and a violation of flight rules. The pilot reportedly chose to fly using visual flight rules (VFR) even though the weather conditions required instrument-based flying, which was a serious error.

The report also mentioned that a faulty radar altimeter—a device that helps the pilot measure the aircraft's height above the ground—had been flagged earlier in the day but was not properly addressed, which contributed to the crash.

Now, several aviation experts say that the U.S. government is likely to bring criminal negligence charges against Orbic Air. A judicial panel of inquiry is expected to review the case and determine if the helicopter company is legally responsible for the crash and what punishment may apply.

In an interview with Punch, Capt. Muhammed Badamasi, a retired pilot from the now-defunct Nigeria Airways, explained that this is already a legal matter in the United States.

“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 said.

He added that the legal proceedings will take place in the United States, and that key aviation agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the NTSB, and possibly even Nigerian authorities such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) may participate or act as observers.

This latest development has stirred more public attention, with many Nigerians hoping for justice and accountability following the devastating loss of one of the country's top business leaders and his family.