A pilot without authorization to fly a helicopter in Australia crashed into a luxury hotel in Cairns, resulting in his death. The twin-engine helicopter crashed into a building near the Cairns Esplanade, causing a fire and evacuations of guests and staff at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Fortunately, there were no injuries on the ground, but two individuals on the hotel’s top floor suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. The pilot, the only occupant of the aircraft, was declared dead at the scene.
The pilot had been working for Nautilus Aviation as a ground crew member for four months and had attended a non-work-related party the night before the crash. While the pilot was licensed to fly helicopters in New Zealand, he was not authorized to fly with Nautilus Aviation in Australia. The company operates luxury helicopters for various purposes, including flights, private charters, and emergency response.
Queensland police are investigating the incident, and Nautilus Aviation is cooperating with them and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau during the investigation. The company has emphasized that the pilot’s unauthorized flight was not related to their operations and that they will take appropriate actions following the investigation.
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