Helicopter Crashes Into Hilton Hotel In “Unauthorized Flight”

A helicopter that was on an “unauthorized” flight crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Australia on Monday.

Emergency crews were called at about 2 a.m. to the Hilton hotel in Cairns, Australia after a helicopter hit the roof of the hotel.

According to Reuters, the “Police said the helicopter had been taken from its hangar at Cairns airport for an “unauthorized flight.”

The crash resulted in the death of the pilot and two injuries among hotel guests.

Here’s the aftermath:

Breaking news:
A #helicopter crashed into the roof of Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Cairns, #Australia on early Monday morning, erupting into flames.

Around 400 people were evacuated from the hotel. At least two people were hospitalized and are in stable condition. #crash… pic.twitter.com/Hqb64VueZE

— War Correspondent (@War_monitor1) August 11, 2024

Stolen Helicopter on 'Unauthorised' Flight Crashes into Roof of Cairns DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Far North Queensland

"The pilot, who has not yet been identified, was alone in the helicopter and died at the scene."https://t.co/QdZbK2gDb2 pic.twitter.com/OjVYT7dmut

— Earl Jackson (@earljackson1776) August 12, 2024

Per Reuters:

A helicopter on an unauthorised flight crashed into the roof of a Hilton hotel in Australia’s northern tourist town of Cairns on Monday, killing the pilot and forcing hundreds of guests to evacuate after a blaze, authorities said.

Emergency crews were called at about 2 a.m. (1600 GMT on Sunday) after the twin-engine helicopter hit the roof of the hotel, setting part of the structure on fire and triggering the evacuations, Queensland state police said in a statement.

Police said the helicopter had been taken from its hangar at Cairns airport for an “unauthorised flight”, but did not elaborate. The pilot, who has yet to be identified and was flying alone, was declared dead at the scene.

Police said the flight was an isolated incident and there was no threat to public safety. They added that the pilot’s intent was unknown, as was the manner in which the aircraft was taken.

A helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton DoubleTree hotel in northeastern Australia early Monday, killing the pilot and injuring two hotel guests, authorities said.

Police, who said the flight was “unauthorized,” are investigating the crash. https://t.co/e33XT9x6pb

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 12, 2024

Per The Washington Post:

A helicopter crashed into the roof of a Hilton DoubleTree hotel in northeastern Australia early Monday, killing the pilot and injuring two hotel guests, authorities said.
Police, who said the flight was “unauthorized,” are investigating the crash, which occurred shortly before 2 a.m. local time in the popular tourist destination of Cairns, in the state of Queensland.

The twin-engine helicopter’s crash into the roof started a fire that sent billowing clouds of smoke into the air and forced hundreds of guests to evacuate, Queensland police said.

They did not name the hotel, but newswire photos show the location as the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns, which sits along the Coral Sea.