Lawsuit Filed Over Fatal Helicopter Crash in Southern California Amid Treacherous Weather

The family of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chair of the Nigerian stock exchange, who tragically lost his life in a fatal helicopter crash in Southern California on February 9, has filed a lawsuit against Orbic Air LLC and its CEO, Brady Bowers. The lawsuit, filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court, alleges that the charter company acted negligently by allowing the helicopter to take off in treacherous wintry conditions, ultimately resulting in the deaths of all six individuals on board.

Inclement Weather and Preventable Tragedy

According to the court filing, the family contends that the flight should have been grounded due to the presence of a "wintry mix" of snowy and rainy conditions in the Mojave Desert at the time of departure. The lawsuit claims that the decision to proceed with the flight despite the adverse weather conditions was a critical error. Andrew C. Robb, an attorney representing the Ogunbanjo family, emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy, stating that "Helicopters do not do very well in snow and ice. This flight was entirely preventable, and we don’t know why they took off."

Legal Action and Seeking Accountability

Ogunbanjo's wife and two children are seeking answers and accountability through the lawsuit, which alleges wrongful death and negligence on the part of Orbic Air, its CEO, and the successors of the helicopter's pilots, Benjamin Pettingill and Blake Hansen. The legal action aims to bring to light the circumstances that led to the fatal crash and to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

NTSB Investigation and Preliminary Findings

While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the crash, a preliminary report released by the agency in February outlined the helicopter's flight path and provided details about the wreckage. The report indicated that the helicopter departed from Palm Springs Airport en route to Boulder City, Nevada, and subsequently crashed in the Mojave Desert. Witness reports of a "fireball" and inclement weather conditions at the time of the crash are also detailed in the report.

Legal Pursuit for Justice and Closure

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and includes claims for Ogunbanjo's burial and funeral expenses, as well as other damages resulting from the tragic incident. The family's legal pursuit aims to bring justice and closure in the wake of the devastating loss of their beloved relative. Orbic Air LLC has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit and the allegations put forth by the Ogunbanjo family.