06 September 2023 , 08:51
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Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha ’s helicopter was sent into a violent spin before tragically crashing at the King Power Stadium due to a failed tail rotor, a new animation has detailed.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) released a final report looking into the tragic incident on Wednesday. All five people on board the aircraft including beloved former Leicester chairman Srivaddhanaprabha, 60, as well as employees Nusara Suknamai, 32, and Kaveporn Punpare, 33, pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46 were killed.
The report found that the pilot’s pedals became disconnected from the tail rotor of the Leonardo AW169. This was due to a bearing in the tail rotor breaking up after its ceramic balls slid instead of rolled after a build-up of pressure.
An animation from the AAIB released alongside the new report displays the incident in detail with close attention being paid to the rotor itself. The mock-up shows the helicopter taking off from the King Power Stadium pitch before then displaying the Actuator Control Shift becoming disconnected from the Pivoting Lever Mechanism.
That then caused the aircraft to bank right before it was launched into violent spin. The helicopter then subsequently crashed into a car park near to the King Power Stadium.
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Leicester have since released a statement alongside the AAIB’s findings. It read: “We commend the extensive and detailed body of work undertaken by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and welcome the publication of its report, in the hope it will contribute positively to the continued development of future aviation standards and safety.
The tail rotor was at fault for the tragic helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium (The AAIB)
The AAIB animation shows the tail rotor's failings ahead of the crash (The AAIB)“The tragic events of 27 October, 2018, will forever be etched into the memory of the Leicester City family. It was a night we experienced the devastating loss of our beloved Chairman, friends, colleagues, and family members. Yet, in our grief, a sense of unity and strength was forged.
"The extraordinary support and kindness that was extended to those affected, by communities across Leicestershire, football and the wider world will never be forgotten. As we near the fifth anniversary of the accident, the families and loved ones of Khun Vichai, Kaveporn, Nusara, Eric and Izabela remain always in our thoughts, as those we lost remain always in our hearts.
“As a Club, we continue to feel the loss of Khun Vichai, who loved his Club, the city it calls home and the communities it represents. Our ongoing commitment to Khun Vichai’s vision, led with the same passion and devotion by Khun Aiyawatt and the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be our lasting tribute to the memory of those we lost, and a reflection of the ambition, dedication and sense of community that brought us all together under Khun Vichai’s leadership.”