Unauthorized Helicopter Flight Ends in Fatal Crash at Australian Hotel

Pilot, recently promoted to ground crew, took helicopter without permission after attending a farewell party.

• The helicopter crashed into the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, causing a fire and evacuating hundreds of guests.
• The pilot, identified as Blake Wilson, 23, was the sole occupant and died at the scene.
• Wilson had a license to fly in New Zealand but had never flown in Australia and was not authorized to fly the helicopter.
• Two hotel guests were hospitalized with minor injuries and later discharged.
• Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the unauthorized flight and subsequent crash.

29 Articles

UPI Sky News Evening Standard Associated Press BBC CNA CNN The Guardian Boston Globe People Business Insider Washington Post The Telegraph NBC News Newsweek UPI Evening Standard Associated Press The Independent CNN CNA New York Post South China Morning Post Le Monde BBC Deutsche Welle Deutsche Welle Sky News The Guardian