Italian aerospace giant Leonardo is confronting an unprecedented £2.15 billion lawsuit filed by the family of deceased Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in what stands to become the largest fatal accident claim in English legal history.
The legal action, lodged in London’s High Court, stems from the tragic 2018 helicopter crash that claimed the life of the former Leicester City Football Club owner. The Leonardo AW169 helicopter crashed moments after departing from the Premier League club’s stadium, resulting in the deaths of all five occupants.
The bereaved family’s legal team points to critical defects in the aircraft, citing the Air Accident Investigation Branch’s 2023 report. The investigation identified a “seizure of the tail rotor duplex bearing” as a primary factor leading to an “unrecoverable loss of control”.
Leonardo expressed sympathies for the victims whilst maintaining their position to defend against the claim. The company emphasised their compliance with regulatory requirements in both design and manufacture of the AW169, noting the AAIB report confirmed their adherence to certification and safety standards.
Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who succeeded his late father as Leicester City’s chairman, delivered a stark assessment: “My father trusted Leonardo when he bought that helicopter but the conclusions of the report into his death show that his trust was fatally misplaced.”
The timing of this legal development precedes an inquest into the deaths, scheduled to commence immediately. The case highlights the intersection of corporate accountability and aviation safety standards, with potential ramifications for the aerospace industry.
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