Early on Monday morning, a tourist helicopter crashed into the rooftop of a hotel in Australia, killing the pilot and starting a fire that forced hundreds of guests to flee. The identity of the pilot, the purpose of the flight, and the manner in which the helicopter took off from the adjacent airport remain unknown to the authorities in Cairns, a city located on the northeastern coast.
The helicopter crash in Australia occurred in a popular tourist location in Cairns, a metropolis of roughly 150,000 people, forcing about 400 people to evacuate their hotel. Luckily, no one on the ground suffered severe injuries. However, a couple staying at the hotel were sent to the hospital to get treatment for smoke inhalation.
The Queensland Police Service’s Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes stated that they are still unsure of the helicopter pilot’s employment status and legal status with Nautilus Aviation, the helicopter’s owner. Holmes assured the residents that the team had contained the damage and that they no longer posed any risk to the area.
Nautilus Aviation stated that they did not permit the trip. However, they did not offer any other information. Based on the findings of early investigations, the Chief Executive Officer of Cairns Airport, Richard Barker, confirmed that there were no violations of airport security rules or guidelines.
Many are concerned about the security and safety of flying after the helicopter crash in Australia. Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the incident and attempt to determine how the helicopter took off without authorization.
