A helicopter crashed into the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The crash occurred around 01:50 AM on Monday, August 12, 2024. The pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was killed in the crash.
The incident triggered a fire leading to the evacuation of approximately 400 hotel guests. Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are investigating the crash.
The helicopter was on an unauthorized flight, as confirmed by its owner, Nautilus Aviation. No injuries were reported among the hotel guests or people on the ground.
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The helicopter crash occurred at approximately 01:50 AM on Monday, August 12, 2024. The aircraft struck the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel located on the Esplanade in Cairns.
The impact of the crash led to a fire on the hotel’s roof causing damage and immediate danger to the occupants.
Emergency services including fire brigades, police and medical personnel, were dispatched to the scene after the crash.
The pilot, who was the only person aboard the helicopter, was declared dead at the scene. Approximately 300 to 400 guests staying at the hotel were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Among the guests, two elderly individuals, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. They were reported to be in stable condition.
Emergency services were alerted at approximately 1:50 AM. Queensland Police and fire services were among the first responders on the scene.
All 421 adults, 50 children and two staff members staying at the hotel were safely evacuated. According to reports, the guests appeared shocked but there were no injuries among them.
The police quickly established an exclusion zone around the hotel to secure the area and prevent public access. They invoked the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) to maintain control over the scene.
The crash caused damage to the roof of the seven-story hotel. Flames and smoke were seen billowing from the top of the building.
Parts of the helicopter including two of its rotor blades were scattered across the hotel property. One of the rotor blades reportedly landed in the hotel’s pool.
Firefighters worked swiftly to extinguish the flames and prevent damage to the hotel and surrounding buildings.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Queensland Police’s Forensic Crash Unit have launched an investigation into the crash.
A team from ATSB was dispatched to the site to gather evidence and conduct interviews.
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Nautilus Aviation stated that they are cooperating fully with the investigation. They mentioned that the helicopter was taken on an unauthorized flight.
Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have launched an investigation into the incident.
The investigation is focusing on understanding the circumstances leading up to the crash including the pilot’s actions and the helicopter’s unauthorized flight status.
Forensic investigators were tasked with formally identifying the pilot, whose identity had not been released at the time of the report.
Nautilus Aviation confirmed that the flight was unauthorized.
The ATSB is investigating whether the crash constitutes a transport safety event or if it falls under a regulatory or criminal matter.
Angus Mitchell, ATSB Chief Commissioner addressed the challenges involved in flying a helicopter without proper training raising questions about the pilot’s qualifications and the circumstances leading up to the unauthorized flight.
The forensic crash unit and ATSB will prepare a report for the coroner, detailing the findings of their investigation.
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