The Prague Post - Helicopter crash that killed Leicester City owner ruled an accident

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others died when the Thai billionaire's personal helicopter crashed and burst into flames shortly after taking off from the club's King Power Stadium following a match in October 2018.

The inquest at Leicester City Hall in central England examined his death, along with those of the aircraft's pilot, Eric Swaffer, his partner Izabela Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare.

Senior coroner Catherine Mason told the jury before going to deliberate on Monday that they should "accept and follow" the findings of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) that the crash was accidental.

Mark Jarvis, the principle inspector at AAIB, told the inquest that a duplex bearing on the tail rotor -- which contributes to stability -- became "seized and locked" before the helicopter crashed and burst into flames.

"Our conclusion was that the pilot had done everything in his power to try to avoid and correct the situation he found himself in," said Jarvis.

He added: "The helicopter was out of control. The only control the pilot had was on the rate of descent of the helicopter during extremely disorientating conditions.

"The pilot took quick action and took the only actions he could do and continued to try and take those actions. The pilot did everything possibly expected of him."

The jury foreperson on Tuesday said that he and his fellow jurors concluded that "the helicopter had all airworthiness and maintenance certificates".

"It was found that the pilot, Eric Swaffer, took all available and appropriate options to try to regain control of the helicopter," he added.

The inquest heard that four victims died because of smoke inhalation after the fire broke out, while Lechowicz "likely died at the point of impact".

In a tribute read to the court during the inquiry by the lawyer for Srivaddhanaprabha's family, he was described as "a good man with a good heart".

"We miss him every day," the family said. "The pain his death caused and continues to cause our family is immeasurable."

The family statement also paid tribute to his role in reviving Leicester's fortunes and bankrolling their shock Premier League title triumph in 2016 after the club were 5,000/1 rank outsiders to be crowned champions at the start of that season.

N.Simek--TPP