Leicester City owner's family claims £2.15 billion after helicopter crash
- In October 2018, a helicopter crash near King Power Stadium resulted in the deaths of five people, including Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
- The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report stated that mechanical failures were responsible for the crash, which the pilot could not mitigate.
- Vichai's family has filed a historic legal claim against Leonardo S.p.A. for £2.15 billion, marking a pursuit for accountability after the tragedy.
In October 2018, a helicopter crash near the King Power Stadium in the United Kingdom resulted in the deaths of five people, including Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the former owner of Leicester City Football Club. The helicopter, which had just taken off from the pitch after a match, experienced a catastrophic failure due to a mechanical fault, leading to a rapid descent and a post-impact fire that claimed all lives on board. Investigations by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed that the pilot, Eric Swaffer, did all he could given the circumstances, but the helicopter was ultimately beyond saving. Following extensive inquiries, the AAIB's report highlighted serious safety concerns related to the aircraft's design and maintenance practices. The aircraft's tail rotor failure was identified as the primary cause of the accident, classifying it as unavoidable under the existing standards. The family of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who had owned the club since 2010, has since initiated a historic legal claim valued at £2.15 billion (approximately $2.6 billion) against Leonardo S.p.A. They allege that the manufacturer is liable for the death and suffering caused by the crash. This claim represents the largest fatal accident claim in English history, seeking damages not only for loss of earnings but also for emotional pain and funeral expenses. The family's actions underline the profound impact of the tragedy, as they continue to seek accountability in hopes of preventing such accidents in the future. Vichai's son, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who succeeded his father as chairman of Leicester City, expressed the family's persistent grief over the loss, stating that the absence of their father will be felt by future generations. Despite Leonardo's assurances of compliance with safety standards, the family's legal representatives argued that multiple failures in the design process led to the catastrophic failure that resulted in such a devastating loss.