A tragic incident unfolded in Cairns, Queensland, early Monday morning when an unauthorized helicopter flight ended in a fatal crash on the roof of a hotel, leading to the death of the pilot and the evacuation of hundreds of guests as the aircraft burst into flames.
Authorities in Cairns are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which involved a tourist helicopter that took off from Cairns Airport without authorization. The identity of the pilot, along with the reasons behind the flight, remain unknown at this time.
According to Australian Broadcaster ABC, Queensland Police Service Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes reported that a couple staying at the hotel was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation but have since been discharged. Fortunately, no one else on the ground was injured in the incident.
Holmes added that it is unclear whether the man flying the helicopter held a pilot’s license or had any affiliation with Nautilus Aviation, the company that owns the aircraft.
“There is no further threat to the community, and we believe this is an isolated incident,” he stated.
In a brief written statement, Nautilus Aviation confirmed that the flight was “unauthorized” but declined to provide additional details about the incident.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker addressed concerns over airport security, stating that an initial review conducted on Monday found “no compromise of the airport security program or processes.”
The crash, which occurred in the early hours in a bustling tourist area of Cairns, a tropical city with a population of 150,000, led to the evacuation of about 400 people from the Doubletree Hilton hotel.
Witnesses described the impact as sounding like a bomb explosion, and local news outlets reported that one of the helicopter’s rotor blades ended up in the hotel pool.
As a result of the crash, smoke and flames engulfed the roof of the hotel. The building remains cordoned off as officials assess its structural integrity.
