The AAIB found there was nothing pilot Eric Swaffer could have done to prevent the October 2018 disaster.
Leicester City say the helicopter tragedy that killed Khun Vichai and four others will be ‘forever etched’ in the club’s memory after it was discovered the helicopter had suffered a ‘catastrophic incident’ before when falling.
A report into the tragedy found there was little the pilot could have done to prevent the disaster from happening.
The final report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published on Wednesday morning, found a 5cm roll of paper was the cause of the tragedy. The coil collapsed, causing pilot Eric Swaffer to lose control just seconds after takeoff from King Power Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018.
The AAIB has ruled out human error in the helicopter crash, saying the plane suffered a ‘serious failure’ after a bearing ruptured, causing it to spin uncontrollably before landing on an angle. All five people on board: Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Chairman of Leicester City, Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz, were killed.
The AAIB report revealed that one of the five people – who have not been named – died in the collision, while the remaining four, all of whom suffered “significant” injuries, died in the collision that followed there. Investigators found it fortunate that the helicopter crashed in an unoccupied area at the time, which helped prevent further deaths.
The publication of the report comes on the fifth anniversary of the disaster, while the club remains deeply affected by the passing of its former chairman and four others. Susan Whelan, chief executive officer of Foxes, applauded the AAIB’s efforts to uncover the truth.
She speaks:
“We commend the extensive and detailed work carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and welcome the publication of its report, in the hope that it will make a positive contribution to the continued development of future aviation safety and standards.
“These tragic events will be forever remembered by the Leicester City family. It was a night in which we experienced the traumatic loss of our beloved Chairman, friends, colleagues and members of the team. our family.”
After the tragedy, many people around the world paid tribute, with a statue honoring Khun Vichai inaugurated last year. Ms Whelan said gaining so much support in the years that followed was a defining moment for the club. She speaks:
“In our mourning, a sense of solidarity and strength was forged. The extraordinary support and kindness shown to those affected by Leicestershire, football and the wider communities will never be forgotten.
“As we approach the fifth anniversary of the accident, the families and loved ones of Khun Vichai, Kaveporn, Nusara, Eric and Izabela are in our thoughts, just as those who have passed away are in our hearts. we.”
Khun Vichai’s son, Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha, took over as chairman following his father’s death, and the club is now doing everything in its power to honor its owner’s goals and ambitions. late, for the team and for the entire city.
Ms Whelan said: “Our ongoing commitment to Khun Vichai’s vision, guided by the passion and dedication of Khun Aiyawatt and the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be our lasting tribute to the memory of those lost and reflects the ambition, dedication and sense of community that brought us all together under Khun Vichai’s leadership.
