Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others, including the experienced pilot, were killed in a helicopter crash in October 2018 when the aircraft spun out of control
Animation shows how Leicester owner’s helicopter crashed
Six years after the Leicester City helicopter crash, an inquest has today begun into the deaths of the five people who were killed in the tragedy.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the owner of the Premier League club, 60, fellow passengers Nusara Suknamai, 32, and Kaveporn Punpare, 33, pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46, also a professional pilot, were killed in the crash on October 27, 2018, which happened next to the King Power Stadium.
No one travelling in the helicopter survived after it spun to the ground and burst into flames. Ahead of the jury inquest at Leicester Coroners’ Court sitting at Leicester City Hall, family members of the victims shared their torment over the wait to get answers on what happened.
In a statement released through the lawyers representing the victim’s families, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s son Aiyawatt, who succeeded his father as chairman of Leicester City, said: “My family embraces the inquest process and look forward to the explanation into how and why my father lost his life, and what has been done to ensure that other families will not suffer the same terrible pain of loss that has been inflicted on us.”
Kate Lechowicz, Ms Lechowicz’s sister, said: “Waiting for the inquest has been tormenting, leaving many unanswered questions and frustrations lingering for over six years since the tragic loss of our Eric and Izabela. Aviation safety was close to their hearts, they will be avidly watching this from afar keen to see changes that will prevent such disasters in the future.
“Our children will never get to know their aunt and uncle, the adventures they had, except through the pictures we have in our home and the stories we tell from our memories. We still miss them terribly.”
An investigation found the crash happened after the pilot’s pedals became disconnected from the tail rotor. This “catastrophic failure” led to a sharp right turn that was impossible to control and about five quick spins.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) also found that the Leonardo AW169 helicopter reached an altitude of around 430 feet before plummeting to the ground near the stadium after a match, where the aircraft was rapidly engulfed in a post-impact fire.
The pilot, Mr Swaffer, was known to have screamed: “I’ve no idea what’s going on” as it spun out of control. Seconds later the helicopter, which had just taken off from the club’s pitch after a match, plunged to the ground.
There was a shout of: “Hey, hey, hey!” from the cabin and experienced Mr Swaffer, replied: “I’ve no idea what’s going on.” The AAIB 209-page report also ruled out drone involvement and pilot error – saying he carried out the most appropriate actions, including raising a lever to reduce the helicopter’s pitch angle and cushion the impact.
Four of the five initially survived but all were killed once the aircraft caught fire within a minute after a fuel leak. The AAIB found the control system failed because a bearing in the tail rotor broke up due to its ceramic balls sliding rather than rolling after a build-up of pressure. Adrian Cope, AAIB senior inspector for engineering, said: “The damage in that bearing built up over a period of time.”
Bearing inspection was only required after 400 hours of use, but the helicopter had been flown for only 331 hours. A contributory factor for the crash was that maintenance checks to review the condition of used bearings against their original design were not required.
Authorities from Canada, France, Italy and US, where significant parts were made, were involved in the probe. The AAIB made eight safety recommendations to the European Aviation Safety Agency – whose rules are mirrored by the UK Civil Aviation Authority – to “address weaknesses or omissions” in regulations for certifying helicopters.
Changes were made to the AW169 and AW189 fleets by the maker and EASA as investigators became aware of issues. The inquest, expected to last three weeks, will examine the mechanical cause of the crash.
The inquest comes just days after Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s family’s legal representatives said a £2.15 billion legal claim has been launched over the crash. Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s family allege Leonardo S.p.A., which manufactured the helicopter, is liable for his death.
It is seeking £2.15 billion in compensation for loss of earnings as a result of the Thai billionaire’s death, the pain he experienced before he died, and funeral expenses, the Stewarts law firm said on Friday.