THE PILOT of the helicopter that crashed into a luxury hotel in Cairns was on an unauthorised flight. The chopper smashed into the roof of the Double Tree Hotel in Cairns, Australia, at around 1.50am Monday local time, killing the 40-year-old man.
The helicopter was part of the fleet of Nautilus Aviation, which said the use of the chopper was unauthorised. They said: "Nautilus Aviation are working closely with Queensland Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning. "As we continue to fully support the ongoing investigation, we will not be making further comments at this time.
" A well placed source told the Daily Mail Australia that they chopper may have been stolen. The source said: "All the pilots have been accounted for." The luxury Hilton Double Tree hotel was evacuated following the horrific crash.
The hotel sits on the waterfront of the city and is a subsidiary of the American giant Hilton. The pilot was the only fatality, however according to local media, two elderly guests were reportedly injured in the crash and were taken to hospital. The hotel sits on the waterfront of the city and is a subsidiary of the American giant Hilton.
All 400 people in the hotel were evacuated with any fuel lying around having the "potential to explode". Witnesses described a red helicopter flying away from the hotel and then flying back "straight into the building".