Helicopter Crash on DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Roof in Cairns Kills Pilot During Unauthorized Flight Sparking Fire and Evacuation of Hundreds

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, described seeing the helicopter flying unusually low, without lights, in poor weather conditions. “It turned around and hit the building, then blew up,” she recounted. Another bystander reported that the helicopter flew past the hotel twice before the crash, describing the aircraft as “out of control” and moving at a high speed.

The crash caused significant damage to the hotel, with two of the helicopter’s rotor blades breaking off upon impact. One blade landed on the esplanade, while the other fell into the hotel pool, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). QAS spokeswoman Caitlin Dennings noted that the impact of the crash was so intense that many hotel guests initially thought a bomb had gone off due to the sound of the explosion and subsequent fire.

Among the evacuees was Alastair Salmon, a tourist from London, who described the crash as “a colossal ear-deafening bang.” Salmon, like many others, was startled by the sight of the helicopter’s rotor blade on the ground, initially mistaking it for a lamppost.

The area surrounding the hotel has been cordoned off, and Queensland Police, along with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. The city of Cairns, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, remains in shock as authorities work to uncover the details behind this tragic event.

Tags: Australia, cairns, doubletree, doubletree by hilton, helicopter crash, Nautilus Aviation, queensland, Queensland tourism, unauthorized flight