Tragic Helicopter Incident: Family Speaks Out on Leicester City Owner’s Death
An inquest has concluded that the 2018 helicopter crash, which resulted in the death of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others, was accidental. The incident occurred due to a mechanical failure in the helicopter’s tail rotor, leading to a loss of control shortly after takeoff from the King Power Stadium.
Following the inquest’s findings, the Srivaddhanaprabha family expressed their concerns, describing the helicopter as a “death trap” and stating that the crash was an “accident waiting to happen.” They emphasized that Vichai had trusted the helicopter’s design and that it was the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure its safety.
In response to the tragedy, the family has initiated legal action against the helicopter’s manufacturer, Leonardo SpA, seeking compensation for loss of earnings and other damages, totaling £2.15 billion—the largest fatal accident claim in English legal history. Leonardo has expressed sympathy for the victims but intends to contest the claim.
The inquest highlighted that the pilot, Eric Swaffer, made all possible efforts to control the helicopter during the emergency. However, the mechanical failure rendered the situation unmanageable, leading to the tragic outcome.