US Helicopter Company Could Face Criminal Charges Over Wigwe Crash

The tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Access Holdings Plc CEO, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and three others may soon lead to criminal proceedings in the United States. Aviation professionals and industry insiders say the operator, Orbic Air, LLC, could be held legally accountable following the February 9, 2024 crash near Halloran Springs, California.

The Airbus EC130B4, flying under the authority of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, went down while carrying Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots—all of whom perished.

According to the final report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the flight crew’s decision to proceed under visual flight rules (VFR) in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)—a clear violation of protocol—played a central role in the accident. Compounding this error was the malfunction of the radar altimeter, an issue already identified during an earlier repositioning flight but not rectified before the fatal journey.

Aviation analysts in Nigeria believe that the United States government is likely to bring criminal negligence charges against Orbic Air. A judicial panel could soon convene to assess the extent of the company’s liability and recommend appropriate penalties.

Captain Muhammed Badamasi, a retired Nigeria Airways pilot, told The PUNCH that the matter has entered legal territory. “The state will prosecute the case, with Orbic Air as the defendant. The panel will determine if there was a breach of safety standards that contributed to the crash. If confirmed, it moves from an aviation issue to a criminal one.”

Badamasi noted that the legal proceedings will take place in the United States, and agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the NTSB, and Nigerian aviation bodies such as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) may participate or observe.

He further emphasized that the outcome could set a major precedent for private charter regulations worldwide.

Echoing his concerns, Capt Ado Sanusi, former pilot and current Managing Director of Aero Contractors, stated that legal consequences would follow only after the NTSB’s findings are formally submitted. “Once the root cause is confirmed, the onus falls on the relevant legal authority to take action. Our role in aviation ends with identifying the factors behind the crash.”

Sanusi also stressed that legal action will be shaped by U.S. law, though international interest in the case remains high due to the global stature of the victims and the potential implications for aviation safety worldwide.

Aviation consultant Chris Aligbe reinforced the seriousness with which such incidents are now addressed. “Gone are the days when such tragedies were brushed aside. Global aviation is no longer tolerant of negligence. If the root cause confirms oversight or error, the law will take its course in the United States.”

Written By Queen Diana