Alex Badeh, the Director-General of the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), confirmed that the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shared its report on the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, his wife, son, and three others, with the NSIB.

Badeh made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, just a week after the NTSB released its findings on the February 9, 2024 crash involving the high-profile Nigerians.

The helicopter, an Airbus EC130B4 operated by Orbic Air, LLC under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, crashed near Halloran Springs, California.

Onboard were Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, former NGX Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two pilots— all of whom tragically lost their lives in the crash.

A final report by the US National Transportation Safety Board cited “pilot disorientation” and a violation of flight protocols, especially the decision to proceed under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions, as key causes of the crash.

When asked if Nigeria’s accident investigators were satisfied with the NTSB report, the NSIB boss said the agency does not comment on accident reports, as the report’s essence was not to apportion blame but to improve safety across the sector.

Badeh also confirmed that the family of the deceased had been in touch with the NTSB till the final report was released.

He stated, "The NTSB provided the report directly to the NSIB, as we are interested parties and in line with ICAO Annex 13 protocols."

"We typically do not comment on accident reports, as their purpose is not to assign blame but to enhance safety and prevent future incidents. It's important to note that the NSIB is not the authority in aviation matters."

"The family of the deceased has been in contact with the NTSB from the time of the accident until the investigation concluded."

When asked about the next steps, the NSIB director replied, "I won’t comment on the next steps, as it's not my position to do so."

Meanwhile, aviation professionals in Nigeria told The PUNCH that the US government is likely to pursue criminal negligence charges against Orbic Air, the operator of the crashed helicopter, through a judicial inquiry panel.

According to the experts, the panel will assess the case to determine the level of responsibility and decide on the appropriate penalties for the helicopter company.