Helicopter crash was ‘accident waiting to happen', says Leicester owner's family

Independent

28-01-2025

A helicopter which crashed and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium killing the former Leicester City FC owner was an 'accident waiting to happen', his family has claimed.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, referred to during his inquest as Khun Vichai, died with four others on October 27 2018 after the Leonardo AW169 helicopter plummeted to the ground after taking off from the pitch and became engulfed in a 'wall of flames'.
An inquest into the deaths of Khun Vichai, the helicopter's pilot Eric Swaffer, co-pilot Izabela Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare concluded on Tuesday at Leicester City Hall after the jury recorded the five deaths as accidental.
Khun Vichai's family has alleged that the helicopter manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. is liable for his death and launched a £2.15 billion legal claim before the inquest began.
Philip Shepherd KC, representing the Thai businessman's family, read a statement outside the city hall after the inquest which said the crash was 'an accident waiting to happen'.
He said: 'Whilst it was no part of the inquest process to apportion blame, the evidence heard during this inquest told the story of basic engineering failures by Leonardo.
'The inquest heard evidence that the design was such that it was just a matter of time before something catastrophic occurred, it was an accident waiting to happen.
'They were innocent victims of a tragic accident that never needed to happen.
'During the two-and-a-half-week inquest, the jury heard that the helicopter crashed even though it was still new, even though it was properly maintained, and even though it met the minimum certification standards, and even though there was no pilot error whatsoever.
'The family of Khun Vichai continues to search for justice and accountability.'
The inquest heard evidence from Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) inspectors that a bearing in the aircraft's tail rotor, which was a 'critical component', seized after its lubrication broke down, causing the helicopter to spin uncontrollably.
The jury also heard that the helicopter had only flown for 330 hours and was 'in the early stages of its life'.
A spokesperson for Leonardo said in a statement after the inquest: 'Leonardo agrees with the inquest jury's conclusion that this crash was a tragic accident.
'As the jury recorded, the helicopter had all the relevant airworthiness certificates.
'This is entirely consistent with the evidence provided to the inquest, that the helicopter was designed and produced in accordance with all regulatory requirements, meeting the accepted industry standard for safety.
'Leonardo reiterates its deepest sympathies and condolences for those who lost their lives in the accident, all of them clearly loved by their families, friends and communities. Their deaths were an unquestionable tragedy.'