NSIB Disputes Sole Responsibility Placed on Pilot
In a statement signed by Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, the agency rejected the idea that the pilot should bear sole responsibility for the Wigwe helicopter crash. Instead, the NSIB argued that broader operational and risk assessment failures contributed significantly to the fatal incident. “While it’s easy to blame the pilot, there is a system behind the pilot that should have mitigated these risks,” the NSIB said. The bureau emphasized that the crash was not just a result of individual error but also a failure of the system meant to support and guide the pilot, especially in adverse flying conditions.- Access Bank Refutes Allegations of Missing N500 Million from Customer Account
- https://www.thecheernews.com/access-bank-3/
NTSB Attributes Crash to Pilot Disorientation and Protocol Breach
According to the NTSB, the crash occurred primarily because the pilot flew under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in conditions that warranted Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). This serious breach of protocol was cited as the root cause of the crash. The NTSB’s final report, released more than a week ago, concluded that pilot spatial disorientation in poor weather was the decisive factor. However, this perspective did not sit well with the NSIB, which pointed to deeper safety management failures.NSIB Clarifies Its Role in the Investigation
In contrast to some earlier reports, the NSIB clarified that it did not jointly conduct the investigation with the NTSB. Rather, the bureau stated that it was treated as an “interested party” and received updates as the investigation progressed. “We were an interested party and were kept abreast of the process by the NTSB, who led the investigation in the U.S.,” the statement clarified. This clarification came just 24 hours after the NSIB Director-General, Alex Badeh, had confirmed that the bureau received a copy of the final report. However, Badeh refused to comment directly on the content, citing policy constraints on commenting about accident reports.NSIB Focuses on Systemic Aviation Safety Gaps
The NSIB response to NTSB report on Wigwe crash highlighted several systemic safety gaps that, if addressed, could have helped avoid the disaster. According to the bureau, a proper flight risk assessment should have classified the operation as high risk due to prevailing weather conditions. By focusing on systemic issues, the NSIB aims to shift attention from individual fault to a more comprehensive examination of aviation safety infrastructure. This includes flight planning, decision-making protocols, and supervisory responsibilities.Nigeria’s Aviation Oversight Framework Under Scrutiny
The incident has also raised questions about how Nigeria’s aviation safety oversight functions in relation to international partners like the United States. As Nigeria’s multimodal transport investigation agency, the NSIB is tasked with promoting safety in air, rail, road, and marine transportation. In February 2024, shortly after the crash, the NSIB had pledged full cooperation with the NTSB. It reiterated this point in its latest statement but was clear that its involvement did not extend to co-authoring the report or drawing final conclusions.A Tragedy That Continues to Stir Debate
The crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, their son, and three others remains one of the most tragic aviation incidents involving a prominent Nigerian business leader. Wigwe was widely respected for his role in transforming Access Bank into a leading financial institution. The differing views presented by the NTSB and the NSIB have triggered a broader conversation on aviation safety standards, the reliability of global investigative collaboration, and the responsibility of aviation systems to prevent pilot error.Calls for Enhanced Risk Mitigation Systems
A recurring theme in the NSIB response to NTSB report on Wigwe crash is the need for better risk identification and mitigation tools in the aviation sector. The bureau emphasized that flight safety cannot rest solely on the judgment of a single pilot, especially in adverse weather conditions. “The entire aviation system must be structured to prevent error, not just respond to it,” the agency insisted. This approach reflects a global trend where aviation safety is increasingly seen as a shared responsibility involving pilots, airlines, regulators, and system designers.Conclusion
The NSIB response to NTSB report on Wigwe crash offers a critical counter-narrative to the U.S. board’s findings. While the NTSB focused on pilot error, the NSIB highlighted systemic failures that should not be ignored. This divergence of opinion emphasizes the importance of comprehensive aviation safety reforms, both in Nigeria and internationally. As both agencies continue to advocate for safer skies, the tragic loss of Herbert Wigwe and others may yet serve as a wake-up call to strengthen oversight, improve risk assessment, and reinforce the aviation safety system from top to bottom.#WigweHelicopterCrash, #NSIBResponse, #NTSBReport, #AviationSafety, #HerbertWigwe, #AccessHoldings, #NSIB, #FlightRiskAssessment, #PilotError, #SystemicFailure,
