Pilot Who Died After ‘Unauthorized’ Helicopter Flight Crashed into Hotel Was at Party the Night Before

Mar. 15, 2025

The scene of the helicopter’s collision with a Hilton hotel in Cairns, Australia.Photo:Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)/AFP via Getty

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)/AFP via Getty

A Nautilus Aviation pilot, whodied in a helicopter crashon the roof of a hotel in Cairns, Australia on Monday, Aug. 12., had reportedly attended a party with fellow Nautilus Aviation crew members hours prior.

The pilot later died after the helicopter he was in collided with the roof of a hotel on the morning of Aug. 12, theQueensland Police Servicesaid in a statement.

The scene of the helicopter’s collision with a Hilton hotel in Cairns, Australia.Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)/AFP via Getty

“Emergency services were called to the intersection of The Esplanade and Florence Street around 1:50 am following reports of a twin-engine Helicopter colliding with the roof of a hotel,” police said.

Queensland Police continued to note that “The pilot and single occupant of the aircraft was located and declared deceased at the scene, and forensic investigations are underway to formally identify them.”

Nautilus Aviation also explained to BBC that the pilot had been licensed to fly helicopters in New Zealand, but had never flown a helicopter in Australia, and had recently been promoted to a “ground crew position” at one of the company’s bases.

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The company said it is cooperating with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) on their investigation into the incident, per the outlet. It also noted that it offered its “condolences” to those involved.

Nautilus Aviation did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Queensland Police Service told PEOPLE that “no further details are available” beyond what has already been released.

Queensland Police Service said in its statement that the collision of the helicopter with the hotel resulted in a “fire on top of the hotel” and the evacuation of guests inside.

Shane Holmes, acting chief superintendent of the Queensland Police Service, previously told reporters, per10 News First Queensland, that two hotel guests received treatment for “minor injuries” that were sustained from the impact of the collision. He also noted that no one else was harmed.

Holmes confirmed to reporters that the aircraft had been taken from a general aviation hangar and “was an unauthorized flight,” echoing what Nautilus Aviation said.

Queensland Police Service said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing, according to the outlet.

source: people.com