In a significant development, aviation industry experts and operators have revealed that the company responsible for the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, the former Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, along with his wife, son, and three others, might soon be facing criminal charges in the United States.

The tragic incident, which occurred in February 2024, has been under intense scrutiny, and this latest update signals a potential turning point in the pursuit of justice for the victims.

According to a recent post on X, the operators of the ill-fated helicopter could be held accountable for their role in the disaster, shedding light on the broader issues of aviation safety and accountability.

Herbert Wigwe was a towering figure in Nigeria’s financial landscape, serving as the CEO of Access Holdings Plc, a leading financial institution.

His untimely death sent shockwaves through the country’s banking sector and beyond.

The crash took place in the Mojave Desert near Baker, California, under challenging weather conditions that included rain and snow, as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Alongside Wigwe, his wife, son, and three other passengers lost their lives, marking a devastating loss for their families and the Nigerian business community.

The helicopter was operated by Orbic Air, a California-based charter company, and was en route from Palm Springs to Boulder City, Nevada, when it crashed, leaving a debris field spanning 100 yards.

The possibility of criminal charges against Orbic Air underscores a growing emphasis on aviation safety and the legal consequences of negligence in the industry.

The NTSB’s investigation into the crash revealed that the helicopter did not have a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, which are not mandatory for such aircraft.

However, the investigation confirmed that the engine was operational at the time of the crash, and witnesses reported seeing a fireball in the sky amidst adverse weather conditions.

Aviation experts have since criticized the decision to fly in such conditions, arguing that the flight should have been canceled due to the poor nighttime weather.

This has raised questions about the operator’s adherence to safety protocols and whether negligence played a role in the tragedy.

The U.S. has a history of holding aviation operators accountable for reckless behavior. For instance, in 2021, a drone operator was convicted for endangering a police helicopter, according to the Department of Justice.

This precedent suggests that if evidence of negligence or misconduct is found in the Wigwe crash, Orbic Air could face serious legal repercussions.

The potential charges also highlight the broader issue of aviation safety, particularly in private charters, where regulations may not be as stringent as those for commercial airlines.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been cracking down on safety violations, as seen in its referral of over 270 unruly passenger cases to the FBI since 2021, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to actions that jeopardize safety.

The X post by Nigeria Stories has sparked a range of reactions online, with users expressing both outrage and a demand for justice.

Some highlighted the need for a thorough investigation, while others pointed out systemic issues in aviation safety, particularly in Nigeria, where such incidents might be overlooked.

The Wigwe crash serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety standards in aviation and the need for accountability when those standards are not met.

As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on the U.S. legal system to see if justice will be served for Herbert Wigwe and the other victims of this tragic incident.

Credit: BusterBlog