Inspector explains Leicester City helicopter crash inquiry delays | Global News Avenue

An inspector investigating the fatal helicopter crash outside Leicester City’s stadium in 2018 said delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic were a factor in the final report being released almost five years later.

After investigation, among them Starting January 13thInvestigations are underway into the deaths of Fox Air Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, passengers Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) chief inspector Mark Jarvis has been giving evidence to the inquiry at Leicester Town Hall on Monday.

He said delays caused by the epidemic and feedback from AAIB’s Italian counterparts were the main factors behind the serious delay in the release of the final report.

Mr Jarvis previously told the inquest his findings about how twin tail rotor bearings failed, causing the helicopter to spin out of control. October 27, 2018.

Mr Jarvis told the jury on Monday the various safety recommendations the AAIB made to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in its final report, Published in September 2023.

He also gave a timeline for the creation of the final report.

Jarvis said the AAIB provided preliminary findings to the wider aviation community in the form of a special bulletin shortly after the accident.

He added that at the end of 2020, a new design of the duplex bearing was launched.

Mr Jarvis told the inquiry AAIB carried out 17 tests on duplex bearings between late 2018 and December 2020, six of which lasted between 44 and 54 days.

Mr Jarvis explained that the pandemic had caused “significant delays” in the shipment of components needed for the investigation.

He told the inquiry that staff across Europe were absent and laboratories were closed.

“The speed with which we get results has been delayed,” Jarvis said.

The first draft of the AAIB’s final report was shared with all relevant parties in November 2020.

Jarvis said the branch had obtained new evidence during the consultation process “requiring us to conduct new analysis”.

He said the agency plans to release a final report in September 2021, but must give its counterparts in other countries a chance to express any objections to the findings.

Jarvis told the jury that Italy’s aviation accident investigation agency ANSV responded to the report with “new and significant information”.

He said the AAIB then conducted new testing and analysis, which involved “significant” additional work.

Another final draft was drawn up in March 2023, to which ANSV responded with a letter raising other possibilities for bearing seizures.

The AAIB’s final report, released in September 2023, found the crash was “inevitable” after a series of mechanical failures and said there was “virtually” nothing the pilot could do to save everyone on board.

ANSV’s letter is included in the final report.

Jarvis added that there was no dispute that the seizure did cause the accident, or that the pilot was not at fault.

“This is the longest investigation I have ever been involved in,” Mr Jarvis added.

Matteo Ragazzi, technical director of helicopter manufacturer Leonardo, also gave evidence on Monday.

He responded to questions about the manufacturing process and said that as the accident investigation continues, the company has issued 22 service bulletins to operators to ensure the safety of its fleet.

The inquest heard Leonardo was complying with all safety regulations at the time of the accident.

The investigation began on January 13 Before a jury, the jury will determine who the deceased was and when, where and how they died.

Last week, the jury Accounts from several crash witnessesIncluding club staff, two police officers and other emergency services personnel.

Inspectors from the AAIB also gave evidence.

The incident occurred shortly after Leicester City’s 1-1 home draw with West Ham United when the Leonardo AW169 helicopter took off from the stadium at 20:37 BST.

It reached a height of about 430 feet (131 m) before losing control and crashing outside the stadium.

Sergeant Michael Hooper and Officer Stephen Quartermae had just gotten off work and happened to be driving nearby.

They were the first emergency services on scene and the helicopter was already on its side.

This meant both side doors were inaccessible, prompting Sgt Hooper to attempt to smash the windscreen with his baton, but this required specialist equipment to break the glass, the jury heard.

An inquest heard the fire, caused by a “significant” fuel leak, began to spread, causing what officials described as “unbearable” heat.

Both officers said they heard the pilot, Mr Swaffer, Shouting for help on the plane After it crashes.

Four people died in the accident may have survived The pathologist who examined the victims told the jury on Wednesday that the plane had not caught fire.

Dr Michael Biggs said Ms Lehovich died from injuries sustained in the crash, while the other four people who survived the initial impact would have died “very quickly” from inhaling smoke from the fire.

The investigation continues.