Unmasking the Secrets: Explosive Findings from Air Accidents Investigations Branch Report on Tragic Leicester Helicopter Crash
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report reveals that the helicopter crash in 2018, which tragically took the life of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was a result of an irrecoverable tail rotor failure
According to Britain's aviation accident investigator, the pilot was unable to regain control of the helicopter after the tail rotor failed, resulting in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, pilot Eric Swaffer, his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, and two members of Vichai's staff, Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from the King Power Stadium after a Premier League match.
Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that the helicopter experienced an uncontrolled yawing motion and a rapid descent at a low altitude near buildings during nighttime. This occurrence transpired after the failure of the tail rotor, which is responsible for counteracting the torque generated by the helicopter's main rotor, thereby preventing the aircraft from spinning out of control.
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Victims clockwise from top left: Eric Swaffer, Izabela Roza Lechowicz, Kaveporn Punpare and Nursara Suknamai
In its final report on the crash, it was stated that the loss of yaw control was irrecoverable given the circumstances. However, post-mortem examinations revealed that the pilot was able to execute a relatively smooth landing, resulting in four out of the five individuals on board surviving the impact.
The AAIB stated that due to their reported injuries, the individuals would have been unable to escape from the helicopter without help, considering its resting position. The report revealed that the helicopter was tilted onto its left side and its fuel tanks were severely damaged, leading to a rapid and significant leak that subsequently caught fire.
Police officers arrived at the crash site just one minute after the incident, but despite their efforts, they were unable to shatter the helicopter's windscreen using their batons and other handheld equipment as the aircraft engulfed in flames, as mentioned by AAIB. Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of everyone on board, the report stated.
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The helicopter crashed just outside Leicester's King Power Stadium
The investigation revealed that the crash was caused by issues with the tail rotor bearing of the Leonardo AW169 helicopter, which then triggered a series of failures. Following the incident, Leonardo, based in Italy, has released 16 service bulletins for this specific model, which includes extra inspection guidelines, as mentioned in the report.
Stewarts, the litigation specialists representing the families of Vichai, Swaffer, and Lechowicz, stated that the report indicated that the pilot could not have taken any action to avert the accident. Furthermore, Stewarts mentioned that legal proceedings had already commenced in Italy against Leonardo on behalf of the families of Swaffer and Lechowicz, while Vichai's family was contemplating pursuing legal action against the manufacturer.
"I am greatly disturbed by the sequence of occurrences," expressed Vichai's son, Aiyawatt, in a formal statement. "As almost five years have elapsed since my father's demise, this report presents troubling evidence pertaining to Leonardo."
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Leicester City players lead by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (right) carry wreaths following the accident
Leonardo did not provide a comment outside regular business hours when requested.
Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan praised the comprehensive and thorough investigation conducted by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch in their report. She also expressed hope that the report would have a positive impact on enhancing aviation standards and safety in the future. The events that occurred on October 27, 2018, will always be deeply remembered by the Leicester City community. It was a tragic night when we lost our cherished chairman, friends, colleagues, and family members.
Nevertheless, amidst our sorrow, we found solace in the solidarity and resilience that emerged. The immense support and benevolence shown by the citizens of Leicestershire, the football community, and people from around the globe will forever be etched in our memories.
As we approach the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, we hold the families and loved ones of Khun Vichai, Kaveporn, Nusara, Eric, and Izabela close to our hearts. Their absence is deeply felt, but their spirits will always endure within us.
As a club, the void left by Khun Vichai's untimely departure is still keenly felt. He cherished his club, the city it called home, and the diverse communities it represented. Our unwavering dedication to realizing Khun Vichai's vision, now pioneered by Khun Aiyawatt and the Srivaddhanaprabha family with the same fervor and commitment, serves as an everlasting testament to the memory of those we lost. It also embodies the ambition, loyalty, and sense of togetherness that unified us all during Khun Vichai's remarkable leadership.
The AAIB report highlighted that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had issued nine airworthiness directives for Leonardo's AW169 and AW189 models. Additionally, the report put forth eight recommendations for EASA, suggesting modifications to certification requirements and the approach taken to evaluate and address possible catastrophic failures.
EASA could not be reached immediately for comment outside normal business hours.
