An inquest into the fatal helicopter crash that killed Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others in October 2018 revealed that mechanical failure was to blame, the court heard on Monday. The incident occurred shortly after the helicopter took off from King Power Stadium following a Premier League match.
The inquest, held at Leicester City Hall, is also examining the deaths of pilot Eric Swaffer, his partner Izabela Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare. Mark Jarvis, principal inspector at the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, explained that a seized duplex bearing on the tail rotor caused the helicopter to lose control.
“The pilot did everything in his power to correct the situation,” Jarvis stated. “The helicopter was out of control, with the pilot only able to manage the rate of descent under extremely disorienting conditions.”
A tribute from Srivaddhanaprabha’s family, read in court, described him as a good man with a good heart whose death continues to cause “immeasurable” pain. The statement also highlighted his pivotal role in Leicester City’s historic 2016 Premier League triumph, defying 5,000/1 odds.
Coroner Catherine Mason clarified that the inquest’s purpose was to determine the facts surrounding the deaths, emphasising that no one was on trial. The hearing is expected to last two to three weeks.
In a related development, Srivaddhanaprabha’s family recently filed a £2.15 billion lawsuit against the helicopter’s manufacturers, marking what is believed to be the largest fatal accident claim in English legal history.
