NSIB: Flight assessment should have indicated higher risk in Wigwe’s helicopter crash

By Abubakar Yunusa

Alex Badeh, director-general (DG) of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), says flight risk assessment should have shown a higher risk in the crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings.

On February 9, 2024, Wigwe was in the chopper with registration N130CZ alongside his wife, Doreen; their first son, Chizi; and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

The crash claimed the lives of all six passengers on board.

On May 6, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded its investigation into the helicopter crash.

In a statement, issued by Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s director of public affairs and family assistance, Badeh said the NTSB identified spatial disorientation as the probable cause, alongside deficiencies in the company’s oversight and safety management processes.

“There were systemic issues, and the flight risk assessment should have indicated a higher risk. While it’s easy to blame the pilot, there is a system behind the pilot that should have mitigated these risks,” Badeh said.

Furthermore, he noted that the NSIB, established under the 2022 Act, is now the sole agency for investigating accidents in air, rail, road, and maritime transport in Nigeria.

“We are developing necessary frameworks, including maritime investigation regulations, training manuals, investigation procedure policies, and manuals. The maritime and rail frameworks are complete, and we are engaging stakeholders for their buy-in,” Badeh said.

The DG said NSIB is committed to promoting transport safety and conducting objective, comprehensive, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria.