The pilot of the helicopter involved in a crash which killed the owner of Leicester City Football Club, Eric Swaffer, said he had no idea as to what happened as the aircraft was turning out of control.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch revealed that, Swaffer made the comment seconds before the helicopter hit the ground outside the club’s King Power Stadium.
Recall that Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and some employees were all killed in the accident, which happened shortly after the helicopter took off from the pitch.
According to investigation reports, the pilot’s pedals became disconnected from the tail rotor, which resulted in the aircraft making a sharp right turn which was impossible to control.
The Branch’s chief inspector of air accidents, Crispin Orr, found that the control system failed because a bearing in the tail rotor broke up due to its ceramic balls sliding rather than rolling, due to a build-up of pressure.
However, the 209-page report ruled out drone involvement and pilot error.
