Inquests into the death of five people who were killed in the City helicopter disaster began this morning (January 13).

Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60, died alongside pilots Eric Swaffer, 53, and Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46, in October 2018. The billionaire tycoon’s PA Kaveporn Punpare, 33, and assistant Nusara Suknamai, 32, also died in the tragedy.

They were killed when the helicopter spun out of control and burst into flames in the car park of the King Power Stadium. It had taken off seconds earlier to take Mr Srivaddhanaprabha back to his home in London after the match against .

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report published in September 2023 said a tail rotor system failure was to blame for the crash.

Senior coroner Prof Catherine Mason described the horrific crash as a “tragic, well-known accident”. She told jurors how the helicopter “went out of control” when it reached a position just above the height of the stadium.

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It then crashed into the car park of the 32,000-capacity stadium and exploded in a fireball, killing all five onboard. The three-week jury inquest at Leicester city hall began by hearing ‘pen portrait’ tributes to the five victims.

Philip Shepherd, counsel on behalf of Vichai, read out a tribute to the billionaire from his family. “He was the leader of our family, a caring and devoted husband. A caring father, uncle and grandfather,” read the statement.

“We feel the loss of him as much as we have ever done. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to us all and we all love him very much.

“It’s impossible to put him into words. He possessed all of the best qualities. He was adored for his kind spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humour and intellect.

“The fact that his grandchildren will never know him compounds our suffering every day His first granddaughter, Love, was born one month before his death. In that short time he showed her unconditional love.

“On his last trip to England he went shopping for gifts for her. He would have done anything and everything for her. Before he died he told his daughter he would work until Love was 20 years old.

“His plan was to stay healthy and ensure their future and financial legacy He was a family man, he took care of all of us. He was a man with boundless energy. Innovation and entrepreneurialship were instinctive to him.”

His family described Vichai as a “visionary and fearless entrepreneur” whose company success was “born out of his vision , flair and skill”.

The statement continued: “He always looked for excellence. He dreamed big. His positive energy was contagious. He maintained that, through hard work and discipline, anything could be achieved.

“He was ‘the possible man’, as he achieved so much and showed no signs of slowing down. He still had so much to give and so much ambition to expand.”

The family said Vichai “formed a bond not only with Leicester City but also the supporters.” Their statement ended: “We miss him every day. He was a phenomenon. He was one of a kind.”

Kate Lechowicz described her pilot sister Izabela as an “extraordinary individual” who “cherished her profession”.

She said aviation was her “true passion” but she also loved travelling, animal welfare and scuba diving. Kate added: “She had an immense passion for life, coupled with remarkable modesty. She demonstrated that nothing was impossible for her. She is still dearly missed by so many.”

She said Izabela’s partner Eric, a former EasyJet and Virgin Radio traffic pilot, “had a profound love for aviation, and travel”.

Kate revealed Eric had previously flown members of the on helicopter trips. “There was nothing he had not tried his hand at,” she told the inquest. “He excelled at everything he tried. He truly lived his dream life as he and Izabela soared through the skies together, forever loved and never forgotten.”

Jurors will later hear from witnesses, emergency services, AAIB investigators and Leicester City officials.

Interested parties include Leicester City, King Power International Group and the helicopter’s operator and manufacturer. Last week Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s family launched a £2.15 billion legal claim against the makers of the helicopter.

In the largest fatal accident claim in UK legal history, they allege Italian company Leonardo S.p.A is liable for his death. His family is seeking compensation for loss of earnings, the pain he experienced before he died, and funeral expenses.