Family Files $2.6B Lawsuit Over 2018 AW169 Fatal Crash

Manufacturer asserts it complied with all EASA design requirements.

Mark Phelps

Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 09:22 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The Leonardo AW169 accident helicopter was similar to the one shown here. [Credit: Leonardo Helicopters]

Key Takeaways:

The family of Thai billionaire Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is suing helicopter manufacturer Leonardo for $2.6 billion, alleging design failures in their AW169 helicopter caused a fatal 2018 crash.
The lawsuit specifically claims the crash was due to a tail rotor control system bearing failure caused by "rolling contact fatigue."
While the UK AAIB investigation identified rolling contact fatigue as the cause, Leonardo argues the report concluded they complied with all regulatory requirements and did not recommend any actions against the manufacturer, thus absolving them of fault.

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The family of Thai billionaire Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is suing helicopter manufacturer Leonardo for $2.6 billion.

The family alleges “multiple failures in Leonardo’s design process” led to the October 2018 crash of an AW169 shortly after takeoff from the soccer stadium in Leicester, England. All on board, including Srivaddhanaprabha, who was the chairman of the Leicester City Football Club, died in the fiery crash.