Brisbane, Australia – A helicopter crashed into a luxury hotel in the early hours of Monday, killing the pilot and injuring two guests. The aircraft burst into flames upon impact, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash, which occurred near the popular Cairns Esplanade. Queensland Police have confirmed that the pilot was on an “unauthorized flight,” but the exact nature of the incident remains under investigation.
The helicopter, owned by Nautilus Aviation, took off from Cairns Airport before the crash. Witnesses described seeing the aircraft flying erratically at low altitude before it collided with the hotel.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation into the incident, appealing for any footage or information from the public.