Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

An inquest into the deaths of five people killed when a Leonardo AW169 <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2018-10-29/first-aw169-crash-kills-five">helicopter crashed</a> at an English soccer stadium on Oct. 27, 2018, has ruled that the loss of life was accidental. The case heard by a jury and a senior coroner in Leicester reached its verdict late on Tuesday, essentially confirming the main findings of a September 2023 report by the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).
Catherine Mason, the coroner, instructed the jury that the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-01-13/uk-inquest-will-assess-causes-aw169-fatal-accident">two-week hearing</a> could only conclude that the deaths had been accidental since there were no legal grounds to dispute the AAIB finding that the main cause of the crash was due to failures in the tail rotor pitch control mechanism. “The helicopter had all airworthiness and maintenance certificates,” said the jury in their statement at the end of the hearing. “It was found that the pilot took all available and appropriate options to try to regain control of the helicopter.”
This accident occurred as the AW169 was departing the Leicester City Football Club stadium after an English Premier League game. It claimed the lives of club chairman Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, as well as fellow passengers Nusara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, and Izabela Lechowicz, and the pilot, Eric Swaffer.
Separately, the Srivaddhanaprabha family is suing Leonardo in England’s High Court claiming £2.15 billion (about $2.7 billion) in damages for his death. In a statement issued on January 10, when the lawsuit was filed, Leonardo expressed its deepest sympathy for those who lost their lives, saying it will defend the claim and is considering the matter with legal advisers and insurers.
Published in September 2023, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aircraft-accident-report-aar-1-slash-2023-leonardo-aw169-g-vskp">AAIB&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aircraft-accident-report-aar-1-slash-2023-leonardo-aw169-g-vskp" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;identified&nbsp;the main cause of the accident as failures in the tail rotor pitch control mechanism. The agency also made eight recommendations to EASA to address what it said were weaknesses in the certification process for large rotorcraft.
Following the accident, EASA issued <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2018-11-09/emergency-tail-rotor-ad-issued-aw169-aw189">airworthiness directives</a>&nbsp;requiring inspections of tail rotors on both the AW169 and larger AW189 helicopters to ensure correct installation of the servo actuators. Leonardo has also issued multiple service bulletins addressing the issues identified in the AAIB accident report.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

UK Inquest Rules Fatalities in AW169 Leicester Crash Were Accidental

Jury and coroner find no grounds to dispute accident investigation findings

The jury for an inquest into five deaths resulting from the crash of an AW169 helicopter after a soccer game in England found the loss of life was accidental.

Inquest Rules Fatalities in AW169 Crash Were Accidental

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair 

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

In this article

Leonardo AW169

Leonardo

More In Accidents

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

NTSB Cites Heliport Misidentification in Aug. 2025 Crash

Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

Fire of Unknown Origin Led to 2024 Citation X Accident

NTSB: Ignition source could not be conclusively identified

NTSB: Bell 206L Damage Caused by Aeroelastic Interaction

Helicopter experienced a vertical hop for which the pilot didn’t know the recovery procedure

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN