Pedal malfunction led to Leicester City helicopter crash

Investigators revealed Thursday that the helicopter crash outside Leicester City's stadium on Oct. 27, which the club's owner died in, was caused when the pilot's pedals became disconnected from tail rotor blades.

The malfunction caused the helicopter to spin out of control shortly after takeoff before crashing into a parking lot near the King Power Stadium.

Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two of his staff members Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer, and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz - who was also a pilot - all died in the crash.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) discovered the aircraft made a sharp right turn once the pin dislodged and subsequently lost control. It also revealed there was a buildup of black grease on one component.

"The tail rotor actuator control shaft became disconnected from the actuator lever mechanism," the report read, according to Sky News.

"The disconnection stopped the feedback mechanism for the tail rotor actuator from operating and the tail rotor actuator from responding to yaw control inputs."

Despite the latest findings, the AAIB said the investigation is ongoing.