A tragic incident unfolded in Cairns, Australia, as a pilot crashed a stolen helicopter into a hotel, resulting in their own death and the hospitalization of two hotel guests. The pilot, who was employed by Nautilus Aviation, had attended a party with colleagues the night before the crash, celebrating at a private send-off.
Nautilus Aviation revealed that the pilot, who was licensed to fly helicopters in New Zealand but had no experience in Australia, had recently been promoted to a ground crew position at another base. The company clarified that the party where the pilot was celebrating was not a work event but a private gathering organized by friends.
The pilot gained unauthorized access to the helicopter hangar after the party and subsequently crashed the helicopter into the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns. The impact caused a fire and forced the evacuation of approximately 400 guests from the hotel.
Witnesses described seeing the helicopter flying low without lights in rainy weather before it collided with the building. The fiery aftermath of the crash was captured on video, showing the helicopter out of control before hitting the hotel.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot was the only occupant of the helicopter and died at the scene, while two hotel guests, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Nautilus Aviation expressed their condolences to the pilot’s family and those affected by the tragedy, emphasizing their cooperation with the investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Queensland Police Service. The company pledged to support their employees during this difficult time and work closely with authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Cairns, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, is a popular tourist destination in northern Queensland, making this shocking event all the more devastating for the community.
