Helicopter crash in Cairns hotel: Major turnaround after pilot’s death
A helicopter pilot who died when his chopper crashed into a luxury hotel in Cairns was on an “unauthorised” flight, with sources saying the plane may have been stolen.
Emergency services were called to the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in the Far North Queensland city at 1.50am on Monday.
Queensland Ambulance confirmed a helicopter had crashed into the roof of the hotel, with some 300 to 400 people evacuated.
The pilot, a man in his 40s, was killed, while two people staying in one of the rooms were rushed to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
The helicopter was part of the fleet of Nautilus Aviation, one of Australia’s largest helicopter operators. According to Nautilus Aviation, the helicopter was not authorized for use.
‘Nautilus Aviation is working closely with Queensland Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities in the investigation into the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of the morning.
‘As we continue to fully support the ongoing investigation, we will not be making any further statements at this time.’
Meanwhile, a reliable source told Daily Mail Australia that the helicopter may have been stolen.
None of the accredited pilots working for Nautilus Aviation flew the plane. “All pilots are accounted for,” the source said.
The helicopter crashed into the roof of the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Cairns at 1.50am on Monday, causing a huge inferno (pictured). The pilot, in his 40s, was killed
About 300 to 400 people were evacuated from the hotel. Other locals gathered in a nearby park and watched in disbelief as the fire tore through the building.
Veronica, who witnessed the crash, told the media that she saw the plane flying into the building “at full force.”
“The next thing I knew I saw it flying towards the hotel and a big explosion… it hit the building,” she said.
Terrifying footage captured by a tourist showed the roof set alight by huge red and orange flames.
Huge plumes of black smoke rose from the roof of the hotel as the fire raged.
“The whole building is on fire,” a woman was heard saying as flames were seen on the ground floor of the hotel.
“Did you see it? The helicopter… it’s just crazy. I was just walking by… I saw it go down,” she continued.
Bystanders stood in a nearby park and watched as flames tore through the hotel.
Two hotel guests, an 83-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman, were taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after being assessed by paramedics.
Queensland Police have issued a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and an exclusion zone has been established which includes Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street.
Caitlin Dennings, operations supervisor with Queensland Ambulance Service’s Far Northern Region, said residents heard a bang that sounded like a bomb.
Queensland Police have declared a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and an exclusion zone has been established covering Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street (pictured is a damaged room in the hotel)
Debris from the helicopter that crashed into the luxury hotel early Monday morning
“Unfortunately it’s quite frightening to hear. I think it’s the sound of a helicopter crashing before 2am,” she said.
‘There are reports that it sounded like a bomb and that there was fire and smoke coming from it. Many hotel residents were very uncertain about the situation at that time.
‘There is a lot of unrest here in the evacuation center, which is actually a hotel.’
Hotel guest Alastair Salmon told ABC the noise of the crash was deafening, while his roommate Harry Holberton said there was debris in the area.
“There was debris all over the hotel, pieces of a windshield,” he said.
Ms Dennings added that emergency workers had to wait until firefighters had assessed the building before they could enter the hotel and view the helicopter.
“The helicopter crashed into the roof of the hotel but two propellers from the helicopter that landed on the Cairns Esplanade became detached,” she said.
‘There was a second propeller in the hotel swimming pool on the ground floor.
At the time of the incident [hotel guests] were evacuated to Florence Street, where they were picked up by buses and taken to a hotel in Cairns City. There they were all evacuated to the lobby.’
Police are on the scene and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has also launched an investigation.
Know more? Email candace.sutton@mailonline.com
The helicopter hit the roof of the hotel and two of its propellers were detached on impact
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash
An exclusion zone was established covering Esplanade, Minnie Street, Aplin Street and Grafton Street (pictured)
