Cairns helicopter crash pilot Blake Wilson’s tragic last message before he stole a helicopter and rammed it into the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel

The young pilot who died after stealing a helicopter and crashing it into a Cairns hotel said a few months ago how excited he was about his “next adventure”.

New Zealander Blake Wilson, 23, was piloting the R44 Robinson helicopter when it crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton at approximately 1:50 a.m. on Monday.

He died on the spot.

The tragedy occurred just months after the young man moved to Cairns to pursue his dream after completing his pilot training with Christchurch Helicopters.

He had a New Zealand pilot’s license, but had never flown in Australia.

In March he posted on Instagram how excited he was about his next adventure in Far North Queensland.

‘I am proud to announce that I am officially a commercial helicopter pilot.

“It has been a busy 18 months of hard mahi (work), long nights in the books and some challenging days in the chair but all in all an incredible experience,” he captioned the post.

New Zealander Blake Wilson (pictured) was piloting an R44 Robinson helicopter when it crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Cairns

Mr Wilson (pictured) moved to Cairns to pursue his dream after completing his pilot training with Christchurch Helicopters.

Mr. Wilson had written just a few months ago how excited he was about his “next adventure”

‘A big thank you to Christchurch Helicopters for giving me the opportunity and resources to start my career.

“Also my friends, family and others who supported me and helped me to achieve these dreams. “It is the conclusion of the first chapter in this adventure and I look forward to many more.”

The young man shared several photos from his time as a helicopter pilot.

In a post, he described training as “one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

In his last post, from May, he takes a walk with friends and swims in a waterfall.

A friend shared a message on Tuesday evening describing Mr Wilson as “caring” and “genuine”.

“I will miss you terribly,” they said.

Mr Wilson, originally from Palmerston North, had been working as a ground crew at Nautilus Aviation for approximately four months.

He was not authorized to fly helicopters.

“Although the employee held a New Zealand CPL(H) pilot’s licence, he had never flown in Australia or for Nautilus Aviation and was not authorised to operate Nautilus Aviation helicopters,” the company said in a statement.

Mr Wilson was celebrating his retirement on Sunday night after taking up a new job at Nautilus Aviation’s Long Island base in the Whitsundays when the tragedy occurred.

About 400 people were evacuated from the Far North Queensland hotel early Monday morning.

Mr Wilson (left) held a New Zealand pilot’s licence but had never flown in Australia before the crash.

In a post, Mr Wilson (pictured) described training as ‘one of the hardest but most rewarding things I’ve ever done’

Nautilus Aviation, the company that owned the helicopter, confirmed that the pilot had worked for them as a ground crew member for about four months and had celebrated his last day with colleagues before moving to another air base.

“We would like to address rumors regarding a gathering of several Nautilus Aviation employees, including off-duty pilots, on Sunday evening,” the company said.

‘We can confirm that this incident did indeed take place and that it was a privately arranged farewell for the individual involved in the incident on Monday morning. He has recently been promoted to ground crew at one of our other bases.

“This was not a work event and was coordinated by friends.”

Queensland Fire Gold Coast Fire Chief Greg Tomlinson said earlier on Tuesday it was “pure luck” no one else was injured in the incident.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Baker confirmed an investigation had been carried out following the incident

“Cairns Airport operates under a federally approved multi-tiered transportation security program,” Baker said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

‘To reassure our community, we would like to confirm that an investigation has been conducted and has concluded that there has been no breach of our airport fence or access points.

“To allow investigators to do their important work, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

Mr. Wilson died after the helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton at approximately 1:50 a.m. Monday

Mr Wilson (pictured), from Palmerston North, had been working as a ground crew for Nautilus Aviation for about four months. He was not permitted to fly helicopters

Mr Baker added that his thoughts are with those affected by the incident, including the pilot’s loved ones and those at charter company Nautilus Aviation, which owned the helicopter, and the airport.

Queensland Police Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Holmes was asked repeatedly on Monday whether he was aware of the motives for the pilot, but he would not give a definitive answer.

When asked if it appeared to be a deliberate act or an accident, Superintendent Holmes simply replied that it was “unknown at this time” but that it was an “isolated incident.”