NewStats: 3,262,346 , 8,176,888 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 09:36 PM 152b2g

By Daniel Ojukwu


Eurocopter EC 130B4, the aircraft model that crashed on Friday and claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, Access Holdings CEO, his wife, son and three others, suffered five crashes last year alone, FIJ has learned.

Since 1975, 100 crashes involving the aircraft and previous models manufactured by Airbus Helicopters SAS have been recorded.

Wigwe died in a helicopter crash near Interstate 15 in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, and questions arose over the circumstances surrounding the crash.

FIJ has gathered that a similar crash occurred on December 1, 2023, involving the same Eurocopter EC 130B4, which struck power cables during takeoff and crashed into a ball of flames near Ex Hacienda el Hospital, Cuautla, Morelos in Mexico. Three people died in the accident, and it was the last of 11 crashes involving Airbus models in 2023.

The same aircraft model crashed in the Grand Canyon in 2018 and claimed the lives of five people.

Scott Booth, who piloted that flight and managed to survive, told investigators that the aircraft encountered a violent gust of wind before spinning uncontrollably and crashing into flames.

The parents of Jonathan Udall, one of the engers on the flight, who was on a honeymoon with Eleanor, his wife, filed a lawsuit against Papillon Airways Inc., the company that owned the aircraft, and the manufacturer.

These plaintiffs argued before a Nevada judge that the aircraft was unsafe for air travel as it did not have a crash-resistant fuel system, which was why it regularly burst into flames upon crashing.

In January, the court ordered that Papillon pay them $24.6 million and Airbus pay $75 million for the loss of their son.

Speaking to the Associated Press after the ruling, Gary Robb, the family’s lawyer, said, “They don’t want anyone else to go through what their son went through in an otherwise survivable accident — not a broken bone. He would have walked away.”

His statement was a nod to the fact that Jonathan did not die as a result of the direct impact of the crash but suffered burns in the explosion, which caused his death days later.

Among the 100 crashes the Airbus aircraft have suffered since 1975, many have been without casualties, but Friday’s incident claimed the most lives in one crash.

https://fij.ng/article/revealed-aircraft-model-used-by-wigwe-crashed-5-times-in-2023/

The manufacturer should look into this one crash too many

If I have that kind of money I wouldn't be using such.

Hmmmmm, what way to go.... hearty prayers are with the family

How can you expect that heavy machine to be in the air and not to breakdown? Even cars breakdown on the road.

Helicopters are the most difficult aircrafts to fly and the most dangerous.

Unlike planes that want to stay on the air, helicopters are constantly looking for a way to kill you.

ValCon888:
Helicopters are the most difficult aircrafts to fly and the most dangerous.

Unlike planes that want to stay on the air, helicopters are constantly looking for a way to kill you.

@the bolded.. Funny,but true..

Its 50/50

If you are rich or successful listen to me.


Never you travel by helicopter, if you can, avoid boarding a helicopter at all cost.


And if possible reduce your traveling around to the barest minimum and employ a trusted relative or friend to act in your capacity as PA to represent you in crucial meetings that involves traveling outside the shores of your country of residence.


The richer you become in life the more risky and delicate your life becomes; what ordinary poor and average people do and getaway with will most likely send you to the great beyond and you know why?


It's because as you climb through the ladder of life, as you grow financially in life, the more your enemies and the more forces of nature align against your life, and the more negative spirits hovering the earth want to use you to show example and shock others to take some glory.


Therefore as you grow richer, reduce the risks you take with your life.


avoid frequent traveling whether by road, by sea or air, just reduce it. Don't mind those jumping around snapping luxury photos to show they are living large, you don't need to show anybody how large you are living, your investments and the lives you are touching will always suffice.


avoid staying alone if you are rich. surround yourself with enough security details whether in Nigeria or abroad, if that guy that founded GoKada surrounded himself with security aides, his useless staff wouldn't have ended his life in that gory way some years back.


forget what people will say, employ a PA, it could be a trusted family member, a friend or someone dear, but avoid being alone.


Even that Ataga of a man killed by one useless Chidinma wouldn't have died if he had surrounded himself with aides.


Even if you want to do some crucade movement as a big guy, it doesn't matter go with one or two of your trusted aides dont go alone, there is nothing new under the sun so there is nothing they will see you do that has never been done before.




Lastly, as you get richer, avoid traveling together with your wife and kids, it has never paid off, it always end in big tears, if your wife insist on doing everything together as a family in the name of love, show her the too many examples of where satan used such opportunities to showcase his existence.



I pray God protect all rich and successful men helping to lift others up, may God cancel every sudden death your way and may you always make the right decision that will not leave those that depend on you stranded in life, amen

That is why one should live life at his own . Don't wait till you have it all before enjoying the little you have. Eat anything that catches your fancy at anytime even if it means using your last card. Stop the competition. There can never be the right time. The right time is always now.

Hmmm

Helicopters are generally unsafe.

Only people who are moved by its aesthetics do not know this. I rather trek from Agadez to Tripoli than enter one.

thesicilian:


What a pity.
See the way you people are waving it off, reeks of inferiority complex towards anything involving foreigners.
But if that crash had happened in Nigeria you'd be blaming the government, the manufacturers and the airline.

Lol! Please return to the politics section, Sir. Don't assume we are all suffering from the ment*l illness that makes us attack Nigeria at every turn.

Commercial airlines are safer that helicopters both in Nigeria and Pakistan. Thank you.

dre11:


https://fij.ng/article/revealed-aircraft-model-used-by-wigwe-crashed-5-times-in-2023/

Na flying curfing aircraft "the rich also cry"no where is safe.RIP.

Oga o

pocohantas:
Helicopters are generally unsafe.

Only people who are moved by its aesthetics do not know this. I rather trek from Agadez to Tripoli than enter one.

Chicagograduate:
How can you expect that heavy machine to be in the air and not to breakdown? Even cars breakdown on the road.

What a pity.
See the way you people are waving it off, because this happened in your so called saner climes. Reeks of inferiority complex towards anything involving foreigners.
But if that crash had happened in Nigeria you'd be blaming the government, the manufacturers and the airline.
Shouldn't the companies involved in the manufacturing and flying of the defective aircraft model at least be made to ground the aircraft and pay heavy penalties until they rectify the issues making their choppers to crash incessantly?

pocohantas:
Helicopters are generally unsafe.

💯

Very unstable and risky .

A small wind gusts and y'all bite the dust. It can so spin violently. Ask ex VP Osinbanjo

Ok

Lack of due diligence can be costly. But let the dead Rest In Peace Ahbeg!

Helicopter almost killed our former vice president

May they rest in peace.
If truly the helicopter has manufacturing issues, they should recall it's model and save lives for the future.

Na WA o

Imagine this happening in Nigeria. The hypocritical Emergency lovers would have been everywhere shouting and screaming their lungs out about saner climes.

The US president flies the black hawk helicopter and never has any accidents been recorded. Seems there are special helicopters built for people in power

pocohantas:
Helicopters are generally unsafe.

Only people who are moved by its aesthetics do not know this. I rather trek from Agadez to Tripoli than enter one.

Inside desert!

Every updates coming out sharp sharp, country we dey work. But that doesn't bring him back to life or any member of his family. May their souls rest in peace.

Lovely man.. money is a defence and it takes away certain types of normal fear .

SO his liver was fortified by his riches ,hence his boarding of that plane

pocohantas:
Helicopters are generally unsafe.

Only people who are moved by its aesthetics do not know this. I rather trek from Agadez to Tripoli than enter one.

Lol you harsh oh. Well I'll donate 1000 mineral water to your journey 😂

If the government had suspended their license, the man and his family would have been saved

dre11:


https://fij.ng/article/revealed-aircraft-model-used-by-wigwe-crashed-5-times-in-2023/

Obidients if it was Nigeria plane shey by now you will say nothing is working in Nigeria ,by now you all will be faulting Tinubu...

jchioma:
Lack of due diligence can be costly. But let the dead Rest In Peace Ahbeg!

Due diligence. I was just about saying this.
I mean I know not everyone would but I definitely check the history of aircraft models I will be travelling with.