February 16, 2025
Leicester City Helicopter Crash: Inquest Concludes Tragedy Was Accidental

Leicester City Helicopter Crash: Inquest Concludes Tragedy Was Accidental

An inquest has ruled that the 2018 Leicester City helicopter crash which claimed the lives of five people including club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was accidental.
James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2018 helicopter crash outside Leicester City’s King Power Stadium has been officially ruled an accident. On 28 January 2025, a jury reached their conclusion into the deaths of those onboard the helicopter which crashed at Leicester City Football Club in 2018.

The accident claimed the lives of five people, including the club’s beloved owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

The inquest jury concluded the tragic event was caused by a mechanical fault, bringing a measure of closure to a grieving community.  

2018 Leicester City Helicopter Crash


The crash occurred on the evening of October 27, 2018, shortly after takeoff from the stadium’s pitch following a Premier League match against West Ham United.

Srivaddhanaprabha owned the helicopter, a Leonardo AW169. It was regularly used to transport him to and from matches.

On board that fateful night were Srivaddhanaprabha, pilot Eric Swaffer, his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz. they were accompanied by two members of Srivaddhanaprabha’s staff, Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai.  

The accident sent shockwaves through the football world and the city of Leicester. Srivaddhanaprabha, affectionately known as “Khun Vichai,” was a hugely popular figure. Many credit him with transforming Leicester City from a struggling club to Premier League champions in 2016.

His generosity and deep connection with the fans characterized his ownership, making his loss all the more devastating.  

The family of the former owner of Leicester City will be launching a £2.15bn claim against Leonardo following the fateful helicopter crash back in October 2018.
Photo Credit: Matt – Manchester Photography Group via Jetphotos.com.

AAIB Finding of Critical Mechanical Failure


The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) launched an investigation into the crash. Their subsequent report revealed a critical mechanical failure in the helicopter’s tail rotor control system.

A pin, designed to connect the control lever to the rotor blades, had become detached. This detachment meant the pilot lost control of the tail rotor. The tail rotor is critical for maintaining a helicopter’s stability and direction.

The loss of tail rotor control caused the helicopter to spin uncontrollably before crashing in a car park near the stadium.  

The inquest, held years after the initial crash, focused on the circumstances surrounding the accident and sought to formally record the cause of death.

The jury heard evidence from AAIB investigators, witnesses, and experts. The AAIB presented its findings to the jury, detailing the specific mechanical failure that caused the crash.

Photo Credit: UK Government

Pilot Eric Swaffer Commended for his Actions

The inquest commended pilot Eric Swaffer. Despite the catastrophic mechanical failure, investigators found that he acted with exceptional skill and composure. Taking all possible and appropriate actions to try and regain control of the helicopter; his efforts, tragically, were ultimately unsuccessful.

Conclusion


The inquest jury’s conclusion that the deaths were accidental brings an end to the formal investigation process. While it cannot undo the tragedy, it provides some answers to the families and the wider community. The ruling acknowledges the devastating impact of the mechanical failure and highlights the blamelessness of the pilot.

For Leicester City fans, the memory of Khun Vichai and the other victims remains strong. The club and the city have honored their memory in various ways, ensuring their legacy lives on.

The conclusion of the inquest, while a somber occasion, allows the community to further reflect on the tragedy and continue to heal.

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