Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Leonardo Denies Liability in Leicester City Owner's Helicopter Crash
A helicopter crash in 2018 killed Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the owner of Leicester City football club, and three others.
The family is suing the helicopter's manufacturer, Leonardo, for billions of pounds.
Leonardo says the helicopter is safe and denies responsibility.
They believe the pilot could have landed safely, but the family and investigators disagree.
The case is being heard in a London court.
Leonardo denies liability for the 2018 helicopter crash that killed Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and three others.
The family is suing for up to 2.15 billion pounds, claiming loss of earnings and other damages.
Leonardo argues the helicopter model is safe and that the crash was the first and only incident involving an AW169.
The family and investigators believe the crash was due to a tail rotor failure, but Leonardo disputes this.
Leonardo claims the pilot could have conducted a controlled landing to prevent the fire, but investigators say this was not possible.
- Who
- Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of Leicester City, and three others
- What
- Helicopter crash
- When
- 2018
- Where
- Outside Leicester City’s stadium
- Why
- Tail rotor failure (disputed by Leonardo)
- Victim
- Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
- Date of Crash
- 2018
- Location of Crash
- Outside Leicester City’s stadium
- Helicopter Model
- AW169
- Claim Amount
- 2.15 billion pounds ($2.89 billion)
- Inquest Conclusion
- Accidental deaths
- Leonardo's Stance
- Denies liability, claims helicopter is safe