Initial findings from Leicester City chairman’s helicopter crash

An inquest is under underway to determine the cause of Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s helicopter crash, which took his life and four others on October 27. This is the latest:

Following Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s devastating passing due to a helicopter accident, an investigation is underway to ascertain the cause. Air Accidents Investigation Branch has released an initial report. BBC on the findings:

"“Club chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others died when the aircraft came down after a match on 27 October.The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the helicopter started to turn right “contrary to the pilot’s left pedal command”.It added the cause of the apparent loss of control is still being investigated.Widely shared video footage, taken inside the stadium, shows the AgustaWestland AW169 climbing normally for about 40 seconds, before it pauses and goes into a downward spin.Safety checks have been ordered on helicopters of a similar design to the one involved in the crash, and an investigation of the tail rotor control system is being “carried out as a priority”.In a Special Bulletin, the AAIB said the helicopter embarked on its first flight of the day from Fairoaks Airport in Surrey with the pilot and one passenger on board.It later landed at London Heliport in Battersea where three more passengers boarded. The aircraft then flew to the Belvoir Drive Training Ground in Leicester and those on board went to the King Power Stadium.The pilot and one passenger then went back to the training ground and flew the aircraft back to the stadium.Five people in total – Mr Vichai, two members of his staff, Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz – then boarded the aircraft which was due to fly to Stansted Airport.After taking off, the helicopter “entered an increasing right yaw contrary to the pilot’s left pedal command”.Yaw is the rotation of a vehicle to the left or right.It reached an estimated height of 430ft (121.9m) before it descended and crashed in an “approximately upright position”.The AAIB also said it had no evidence to suggest interference or the involvement of a drone at this stage."

A facility in Farnborough, Southern England is assessing the wreckage.

Stated on the AAIB website is: “This Special Bulletin is published to provide preliminary information gathered from the site investigation, subsequent technical investigation, recorded data, and other sources.”

Download AAIB’s initial account of the disaster, here. Currently, there is no time limit on the duration of the inquest into the tragic death of Khun Vichai, along with four others from the horrendous incident at the King Power Stadium.

Khun Vichai’s bond with the Leicester City family runs deep – some would say he created the family. Of course, for years and years the support was close, living in the same city with true background ties. Yet, the unprecedented success since the Srivaddhanaprabha’s took charge, is remarkable, and done with legitimate dignity and respect for all. Creating a reciprocal love and gratefulness.

That is in addition to Mr chairman’s charity work. His philanthropy in Leicester alone is presumed to be worth up to £4 million. Whereas in his home country, Thailand, the Foxes owner put disadvantaged children through school and college and was also known for his vast generosity.

It is not simply the Blue Army and his family who will miss him. Shocking and saddening the entire footballing world; in addition to non-sports fans.

Foxes of Leicester will keep their followers up-to-date with all relevant information released about the cause of death of the beloved chairman. The site has also returned to analysis and insight from on-field.