United Kingdom —
On January 13th, 2025, Leicester commenced a public inquiry into the 2018 crash of a Leonardo AW169 helicopter that killed King Power Chairman and Leicester City FC owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, along with four others. The incident occurred outside King Power Stadium on October 27th, 2018.
The inquiry, led by Professor Catherine Mason at Leicester Town Hall, is set to conclude on January 31st, 2025. It follows a 209-page Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report released in September 2023, which attributed the crash to a tail rotor system failure caused by bearing issues, deeming it an unavoidable disaster.
Law firm Stewarts, representing the victims’ families, is examining Leonardo S.p.A.’s adherence to safety regulations. Families hope the inquiry will address unanswered questions and prompt measures to prevent future aviation accidents.
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Vichai’s son, expressed confidence in the process, emphasizing the importance of preventing similar tragedies. Kate Lechowicz, sister of one of the pilots, highlighted the emotional toll of waiting over six years for clarity.
Stewarts’ lawyer Sarah Stewart called the inquiry a pivotal step toward justice, with hopes of improving aviation safety despite the irreplaceable loss suffered by the families.