An inquest into the tragic helicopter crash that killed Leicester City Football Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others in October 2018 revealed that mechanical failure was the cause of the fatal incident. The opening day of the inquest, held at Leicester City Hall, focused on the details of the crash, which occurred shortly after Srivaddhanaprabha’s helicopter took off from the King Power Stadium following a match.
Mark Jarvis, the principal inspector at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), stated that the crash was due to a seized and locked duplex bearing on the tail rotor. This malfunction led to the helicopter losing control and eventually crashing in flames. Despite the severe malfunction, Jarvis noted that the pilot, Eric Swaffer, did everything in his power to try to prevent the crash. “The only control the pilot had was on the rate of descent during extremely disorientating conditions,” he explained, adding that Swaffer took the correct actions in an attempt to save the helicopter and its passengers.
Srivaddhanaprabha, his partner Izabela Lechowicz, pilot Eric Swaffer, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare all tragically lost their lives in the crash. The inquest is set to last for two to three weeks as it examines the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a heartfelt tribute read by Srivaddhanaprabha’s family lawyer, the Thai billionaire was remembered as “a good man with a good heart.” The family reflected on his immense contributions to Leicester City, including his pivotal role in the club’s unexpected 2016 Premier League title win. “We miss him every day,” the family’s statement said, highlighting the immeasurable pain caused by his loss.
In a separate legal development, the Srivaddhanaprabha family has filed a £2.15 billion legal action against the manufacturers of the helicopter, marking what is reported to be the largest fatal accident claim in English legal history. This action comes as the family seeks accountability for the tragic loss of their loved ones.
The inquest will continue to shed light on the exact sequence of events leading to the fatal crash, but it is clear that the mechanical failure had devastating consequences for all involved.