Eric Swaffer was flying the aircraft that killed Leicester City’s owner in 2018 (Picture: PA)
The pilot of a helicopter that crashed outside Leicester City’s stadium killing five people ‘did everything in his power’ to stop the tragedy.
Eric Swaffer was flying the aircraft that spun out of control, plummeted to the ground and burst into flames shortly after takeoff on October 27, 2018.
He was killed alongside all the other occupants, namely Leicester City’s owner Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Mr Swaffer’s partner, Izabela Roza Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare.
A jury inquest into their deaths begun today at Leicester Coroners’ Court, sitting at Leicester City Hall, and is set to last between two and three weeks.
Eric Swaffer, 53, said ‘I’ve no idea whats going on’ seconds before the helicopter hit the ground outside the club’s King Power Stadium on October 27 2018 (Picture: PA)
Jurors were shown an animation of the helicopter’s mechanical failure which led to the crash outside King Power Stadium.
Air Accidents Investigation Branch principle inspector Mark Jarvis said a duplex bearing on the tail rotor became ‘seized and locked’ when the pilot tried to do a right-hand turn over the stadium.
This in turn caused the actuator control shaft to spin ‘very fast’ and led to loss of control of the aircraft.
Mr Jarvis told the hearing: ‘The conclusion was that the rotor duplex bearing experienced loading which resulted in pressures within that bearing which was sufficient to cause the lubrication to break down resulting in the bearing seizing and failing.
‘Our conclusion was that the pilot had done everything in his power to try to avoid and correct the situation he found himself in.
‘The forces felt by the pilot are extreme and extremely disorientating.’
The inquest also heard that a police sergeant, who was on the scene within seconds, tried to gain access to the helicopter through the windscreen using a baton, but the coroner was told it was a ‘very strong structure’ designed to withstand a bird-strike at a speed of 180mph.
Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died in the crash (Picture: Reuters)
‘You would need specialist equipment to get through the windscreen,’ Mr Jarvis told the hearing.
Stills from a police bodycam and dashcam were also shown to the court, capturing the helicopter on fire and showing an officer returning to his vehicle to collect a fire extinguisher.
Among others giving evidence today was Jon Rudkin, director of football at Leicester City.
A tearful Mr Rudkin told the inquest he had walked khun Vichai to the helicopter, which had landed in the stadium on the evening of the crash.
He then watched as the chairman boarded, waved and gave a thumbs up as they took off.
‘Once we heard the chairman had not survived the accident, it was a complete shock,’ he said. ‘Shock right across the football club, the fans, the community and worldwide really. He made such an impact on football.
‘You could see the outpouring that then went in relation to outside the stadium. I can’t imagine what it was like for the family.’
Eric Swaffer was also killed in the crash
An inquest into their deaths begun today and will last several weeks (Picture: Reuters)
Mr Rudkin said Khun Vichai had made a ‘remarkable impression… not only on the football club but on the city’.
Khun Vichai’s family also paid tribute via their barrister Philip Shepherd KC.
They said in a statement: ‘We feel the loss of him as much today as we have ever done. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to us all and we all loved him very much.
‘It’s impossible to put Khun Vichai into words. He possessed all of the best qualities. He was adored by everyone for his kind spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humour and intellect.’
Kate Lechowicz, Ms Lechowicz’s sister, paid tribute to her sibling, describing her as an ‘extraordinary individual’ who shared her love of aviation with her partner.
Speaking of Mr Swaffer she said: ‘He was great company. He had profound love for aviation, technology, travel, his motorbike and life in general.’
Mr Punpare’s wife, meanwhile, said her late husband – a butler to Khun Vichai – would be loved and missed by his family, including a daughter, every day.
Leicester City Director of Football Jon Rudkin arrives at Leicester Coroner’s Court (Picture: PA Wire)
A statement from Ms Suknamai’s family, described the former Miss Thailand contestant as a ‘pillar’ of her family.
‘This is the greatest loss for the family. We will never forget it,’ her relatives said.
It was recently revealed Khun Vichai’s family have launched a £2.15 billion legal claim against Leonardo S.p.A., which manufactured the helicopter.
They say the firm is liable for his death.
The inquest continues.
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