A tragic incident occurred in Cairns, Australia, when a helicopter crashed into the roof of a luxury hotel, resulting in the death of the pilot. The pilot, an employee of the charter company that owned the aircraft, was not authorized to fly, as confirmed by the company.
The aviation company revealed that the pilot had recently celebrated a promotion within the ground crew but had attended a non-work-related party the night before the crash. The helicopter crashed into the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel near the Cairns Esplanade, causing a fire that led to the evacuation of hundreds of guests and staff.
Two holidaymakers on the top floor of the hotel sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. Queensland Police mentioned that the flight was unauthorized, but the circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is leading the investigation and believes the helicopter took off from Cairns Airport. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying low over the water before crashing into the hotel. The ATSB is urging anyone with photos or videos of the incident to come forward.
Despite the tragic outcome, all 421 adult guests, 50 children, and two staff members of the hotel were safely evacuated. The ATSB, along with other investigative units, is working diligently to gather evidence and determine the cause of the crash.
