A stolen Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter crashed into the roof of a hotel in Cairns, Queensland, Australia early Monday morning, August 12, 2024, resulting in the death of the pilot and the evacuation of hundreds of guests. The unauthorized flight has raised significant concerns about security protocols at Cairns Airport.
Emergency services responded to the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at the Esplanade and Florence Street intersection around 1:54 a.m. local time. The helicopter, owned by Nautilus Aviation, struck the hotel’s roof, causing a fire that engulfed the aircraft. The pilot, the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet confirmed the pilot’s identity or whether he was an employee of Nautilus Aviation.
Hotel guests were startled awake by the noise of the crash, which witnesses likened to the explosion of a bomb. The collision caused two of the helicopter’s rotor blades to break off—one ended up in the hotel pool while the other landed on an esplanade.
Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes reported that up to 400 guests, including tourists, were evacuated from the hotel. Despite the severity of the incident, only two elderly guests were treated for minor injuries related to smoke inhalation and were later discharged from the hospital.
Holmes mentioned during a press conference that it was sheer luck that more people weren’t injured. He noted that the crash, which happened in the middle of the night, when most people were in their rooms, likely prevented a much greater tragedy.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated an investigation to determine how the helicopter was accessed and what led to the unauthorized flight. The helicopter was reportedly taken from a general aviation hangar at Cairns Airport, though it remains unclear how the pilot gained access to the aircraft.
Angus Mitchell, the chief commissioner of the ATSB, explained that investigators would be looking into the helicopter’s equipment, the details of the flight, and the pilot’s background. He mentioned that the helicopter was airborne for only a brief time after taking off from Cairns Airport, flying over parts of Cairns before ultimately crashing into the side of the building.
Nautilus Aviation issued a brief statement expressing its shock and committing to fully cooperating with the investigation. The company indicated that it is working closely with the Queensland Police Service, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorized use of one of its helicopters earlier that morning.
The DoubleTree by Hilton remains closed while authorities assess the building’s structural integrity. The crash site has been cordoned off, and guests have been relocated to nearby accommodations.
Richard Barker, CEO of Cairns Airport, assured the public that initial findings indicated no compromise of the airport’s security protocols. However, the incident has raised questions about how a helicopter could be taken from a secure facility undetected.
As investigations continue, Queensland Police and the ATSB are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward.