The actions of Eric Swaffer, a highly experienced helicopter pilot, have been praised in a report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (Picture: PA)

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed outside Leicester City’s stadium in October 2018 was heard saying ‘I’ve no idea what’s going on’ seconds before the disaster.

All the people on board, including the football club’s owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, pilot Eric Swaffer and three other passengers, were killed in the tragedy.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has revealed Mr Swaffer’s confusion in the final moments before the crash.

He had taken off from the pitch at the King Power Stadium just minutes earlier, and the Leonardo AW169 helicopter reached an altitude of approximately 430ft before it plummeted.
Among the others who died were Leicester City employees Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, and Mr Swaffer’s partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a pilot.

Investigators discovered that the pilot?s pedals became disconnected from the tail rotor, causing the aircraft making a sharp right turn which was ‘impossible’ to control.

The AAIB said someone in the rear cabin, where Mr Vichai and his employees were seated, could be heard shouting: ‘Hey, hey, hey!’ as the helicopter began moving unpredictably.

Mr Swaffer, a highly experienced pilot, responded by saying: ‘I?ve no idea what?s going on’ before...