Unraveling the Tragedy: A Look into the Helicopter Crash Claiming the Lives of Herbert Wigwe and Others
NSIB Connects Wigwe's Helicopter Accident to the Faulty Safety Practices of the Operator
In the aftermath of the 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, the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has shed light on the underlying reasons behind this devastating incident.
Speaking on Arise TV's Newsnight, Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, revealed preliminary findings from the United States' National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggesting that the crash was not merely a pilot error but a symptom of entrenched safety issues within the helicopter company, revealing a systemic problem.
The fateful crash occurred on February 9, 2024, involving an Airbus EC130B4 helicopter operated by Orbic Air, LLC. The aircraft went down near Halloran Springs, California, resulting in the tragic loss of all individuals onboard.
The NTSB's initial report indicated that several factors contributed to the incident, including the pilot's spatial disorientation and disregard for safety guidelines. Significantly, the decision to proceed under visual flight rules despite flying in instrument meteorological conditions was flagged as a major error linked to broader operational negligence.
Captain Badeh went further to explain that the picture presents a deeper issue, potentially rooted in company culture: "You could go deeper and wonder what happened because it is more a company culture. I would not blame the pilot, they (the report) spoke about the company's safety management systems. It seems more like a company culture than anything."
While cautious about assigning blame, Captain Badeh acknowledged the role of negligence in the crash, adding, "except they should have looked deeper into this." A critical oversight was the failure of the pilot to consult adequately with the flight follower, who also happened to be the company's president.
"The pilot should have spoken to his flight follower who happened to be the president of the company and he should have looked deeper into it and said, 'Maybe we should delay or we should do this or that.'"
The ultimate responsibility was left in the hands of the pilot, but Captain Badeh emphasized the broader system that supports them, stating, "There is a system behind that pilot. There is a whole system that should have caught this and even if he did not catch it, you do not know what sort of pressure that was on him."
In cases like these, the pressure that high-profile individuals face is prevalent, even in the United States. Captain Badeh reiterated, "This was a high-profile person. They knew he was a high-profile person. They know people who go for the Super Bowl are wealthy people. Everywhere, even in the United States, there is always that pressure."
If you're interested in learning more about the potential criminal charges against Orbic Air or updates on the investigation, you may want to explore the following stories:- US Shares Wigwe's Helicopter Crash Report With Nigeria Govt- US Helicopter Firm May Face Criminal Charges Over Wigwe's Death- NTSB Reveals Why Herbert Wigwe's Helicopter Crashed- 'Wigwe Did Not Single-handedly Build The Church, It Was Collective Efforts Of All Members' - RCCG Elder- 'Herbert Wigwe Helped My Government' - Sanwo-Olu Pays Tribute To Late Access Holdings Chief- NSIB Sends Urgent Message To Nigerian Travellers Amid Growing Global Air Incidents
Sources:- [1] Arise TV Newsnight [Accessed: 10th March 2023]- [2] NTSB [Accessed: 10th March 2023]- [3] Leadership [Accessed: 10th March 2023]- [4] Guardian [Accessed: 10th March 2023]- [5] Vanguard [Accessed: 10th March 2023]
- In a discussion on the Nigerian church scene, a RCCG elder might say, "Herbert Wigwe did not single-handedly build the church, it was collective efforts of all members."
- Amidst the ongoing investigation into the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Herbert Wigwe, someone could express, "If you're a sports enthusiast, you might be more interested in 'US Helicopter Firm May Face Criminal Charges Over Wigwe's Death' than the church's collective efforts."
