'Unauthorized' Helicopter Flight Ends With Crash On Hotel Roof In Australia, Killing Pilot
HuffPost
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the building in as flames engulfed the aircraft in Cairns, Australia.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A man died after an unauthorized helicopter flight in Queensland, Australia ended in a crash on a hotel roof early Monday morning, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people from the building as flames engulfed the aircraft.
Authorities in the city of Cairns said that they had not confirmed the identity of the pilot, his reason for making the flight or how the tourist helicopter was able to take off from Cairns Airport.
A couple staying at the hotel was hospitalized suffering from smoke inhalation and have now been discharged, Queensland Police Service Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes told reporters. No one else on the ground was hurt.
Holmes said it was not known if the man flying the helicopter held a pilot’s license or if he worked for the company that owned the craft, Nautilus Aviation.
“There is no further threat to the community, and we believe this is an isolated incident,” Holmes said.
