The story of Leicester City Football Club’s late owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and the devastating helicopter crash outside King Power Stadium remains etched in the hearts of football fans.
On October 27, 2018, the crash took the lives of five remarkable individuals, leaving an enduring legacy of sorrow and remembrance.
As the inquest into this tragic incident progresses, the jury has now retired to deliberate on the details surrounding the accident.
This hearing aims to bring clarity to the events that led to the devastating loss of Srivaddhanaprabha, Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer, and co-pilot Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
The Crash: A Mechanical Fault
The crash involved a Leonardo AW169 helicopter, which spiraled out of control from a height of 430 feet shortly after taking off from the stadium pitch.
Witnesses described the aircraft spinning “aggressively” before it tragically burst into flames upon impact.
According to findings presented to the jury, a mechanical fault in the helicopter’s tail rotor was the root cause of the crash.
A seized bearing caused a critical component to rotate and unscrew, leading to a catastrophic loss of control.
Despite the pilot’s heroic efforts to mitigate the spin, the crash landing was deemed unavoidable.
The Role of the Jury
Senior coroner Catherine Mason addressed the jury, guiding them through the legal framework of the inquest.
She explained their role in answering four key questions: who the deceased were, when and where they died, and how their deaths occurred.
Mason emphasized that the crash was a terrible accident, and the medical causes of death were not in dispute.
The jury was instructed to rely on the findings of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which concluded that pilot Eric Swaffer had taken all appropriate measures and was not at fault.
His actions, which included attempts to reduce the spin rate, were described as commendable, though the crash was ultimately unavoidable.
The Aftermath of Impact
Evidence presented during the inquest revealed the heartbreaking sequence of events following the crash.
After the helicopter hit the ground on its left-hand side, a substantial fuel leak led to a rapid fire.
Four of the five victims, including Srivaddhanaprabha, succumbed to smoke inhalation, while Izabela Lechowicz likely died on impact due to severe injuries.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Biggs confirmed there was no evidence of medical incapacitation on the part of the pilot, further underscoring that the incident was caused solely by mechanical failure.
Remembering Those Lost
As the inquest continues, the hearing has served as a solemn reminder of the lives lost in this tragedy.
These individuals, beloved by their families, colleagues, and communities, were tragically taken far too soon.
The process seeks to bring closure by explaining how the accident occurred and honoring the memory of those involved.
While the King Power Stadium and Leicester City Football Club continue to carry forward Srivaddhanaprabha’s vision and legacy, the events of that fateful night remain a poignant chapter in the club’s history.
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