Tuesday, August 13, 2024 A helicopter crash on the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland, has left the pilot dead and sparked a fire, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of guests. The unauthorized early morning flight has raised concerns, with investigations underway. In a tragic incident early Monday morning, a helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, a popular tourist destination in northern Queensland, Australia.
The crash, which occurred around 01:50 local time (16:50 BST Sunday), resulted in the death of the helicopter’s pilot, who was the only occupant of the aircraft. The impact sparked a fire, forcing the evacuation of approximately 400 hotel guests. Authorities responded quickly to the scene, where two guests—a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s—were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash, with some local media outlets suggesting that the helicopter may have been stolen. Nautilus Aviation, the company that owned the helicopter, confirmed that the flight was unauthorized. The company has pledged full cooperation with Queensland authorities as they investigate the incident.
“We are working closely with all relevant authorities in Queensland to examine the unauthorized use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning,” Nautilus Aviation stated. Amanda Kay, a hotel guest at the time of the incident, describe.