The American firm that operated the helicopter involved in the tragic February 2024 crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings Plc Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others, may soon be subject to criminal charges in the United States, according to confirmations from aviation industry sources and experts.
The Airbus EC130B4 helicopter, operated by Orbic Air, LLC, under the regulations of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, crashed near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9, 2024. Tragically, all six individuals on board perished, including Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and the two pilots.
A conclusive report issued by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified "pilot disorientation" and a breach of established flight regulations, particularly the decision to proceed under visual flight rules despite instrument meteorological conditions, as primary factors contributing to the accident.
Reports also indicated that a malfunctioning radar altimeter, which had been identified during an earlier repositioning flight on the same day, was a contributing element in the fatal incident.
Aviation professionals in Nigeria now suggest that the US authorities are likely to pursue charges of criminal negligence against Orbic Air before a formal judicial inquiry.
This panel would be tasked with reviewing the circumstances of the crash, determining the extent of liability on the part of the helicopter company, and deciding on appropriate punitive measures.
Speaking to Punch, Capt Muhammed Badamasi, a retired pilot from the defunct Nigeria Airways, stated that the matter had already entered a legal phase, with the state acting as the plaintiff and the helicopter company as the defendant.
He elaborated, “It’s already a legal matter. The panel of inquiry will determine if the crash and the resulting fatalities were a consequence of the company’s failure to adhere to safety protocols. If this is the case, it becomes a judicial issue, and legal charges may follow.”
Badamasi further explained that any legal proceedings would take place within the US jurisdiction, noting that agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and representatives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) may be involved as interested parties.
