The proprietor of Leicester Metropolis Soccer Membership killed in a helicopter crash would “by no means have risked his life on this machine” if he knew security processes had not been going down, in accordance with his son.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and 4 others died when the Leonardo AW169 plummeted to the bottom outdoors the membership’s King Energy Stadium on October 27 2018 shortly after taking off from the pitch.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Department (AAIB) said that the crash was attributable to the pilot’s pedals changing into disconnected from the tail rotor as a element – a bearing – seized amid a build-up of stress.
Investigators listed a collection of contributory elements, comparable to Italian firm Leonardo failing to share check flight outcomes with the bearing producer to substantiate the kind chosen was appropriate to be used within the plane.
Leonardo additionally didn’t require routine inspections of bearings to substantiate they have been within the situation anticipated in opposition to their unique design.
The AAIB harassed that Leonardo didn’t must take both of these actions underneath “regulatory necessities and steering”.
Mr Vichai’s son, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who grew to become chairman of Leicester Metropolis after his father’s loss of life, mentioned: “I’m deeply saddened by the course of occasions.
“Virtually 5 years after my father’s passing, this report offers regarding proof in opposition to Leonardo.
“My father trusted that he had purchased a protected helicopter from a world-renowned producer.
“Had he recognized what we all know now he would by no means have risked his life on this machine.
“The ache this causes me and my household is immeasurable and, as a household, we proceed to battle on daily basis with our grief on the lack of my father.
“He was an amazing inspiration to me personally and all of us cherished him very a lot.”
A Leonardo spokeswoman mentioned: “The AAIB has not directed any advisable actions to Leonardo.
“The AAIB remaining report rightly concludes that Leonardo complied with all regulatory necessities in each the design and manufacture of the AW169.”
The opposite folks killed within the crash have been: Leicester Metropolis staff Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare; and the pilot Eric Swaffer and his accomplice, Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was additionally an expert pilot.
The AAIB’s 209-page report dominated out pilot error as a potential trigger.
Litigation agency Stewarts mentioned it has been retained by the households of Mr Vichai, Mr Swaffer and Ms Lechowicz.
Mr Vichai’s household are “contemplating their authorized recourse in opposition to Leonardo” and “litigation has already been commenced in Italy” on behalf of the households of Mr Swaffer and Ms Lechowicz, it added.
Peter Neenan, a accomplice at Stewarts, described the report as “a daunting story of missed alternatives” and claimed the crash was “an accident ready to occur”.
Mr Swaffer’s mom, Deborah Sutton, mentioned: “This, after all, is each mom’s worst nightmare and time shouldn’t be therapeutic.
“Eric and Izabela have been an inseparable couple, devoted to one another and to their flying.
“With out them, there is a gigantic gap in our lives. I consider them every day and miss them greater than I can say.”
Ms Lechowicz’s sister, Kate Lechowicz, mentioned: “My sister and Eric have been such brilliant lights in my life, we shared many adventures, however that they had so many extra plans and goals to perform.
“The outreach from mates throughout the aviation business confirmed how they have been revered, however the feedback confirmed they have been additionally properly cherished.
“Having not too long ago purchased their dream residence, they have been embarking on a brand new chapter of their lives – and have been placing extra time into animal welfare and different causes near their hearts.”