Aviation company staff member crashed helicopter after farewell drinks

Nautilus Aviation has confirmed one of its staff was flying the helicopter that crashed into a Cairns hotel early on Monday, killing him instantly.

After previously declaring its pilots had been accounted for, the company released a statement late on Tuesday revealing the person responsible for the crash was a member of the ground crew.

The individual, who had a New Zealand commercial pilot’s licence but was not authorised to fly in Australia, “gained unauthorised access to our helicopter hangar and misappropriated one of our helicopters”, the company said.

Blake Wilson, who worked as part of Nautilus Aviation’s ground crew, died in the helicopter crash on Monday morning.Credit: Instagram

While Nautilus and police did not name the individual, he was identified in multiple media reports as Blake Wilson, 24, who had lived in Australia for only four months.

Wilson may have been under the influence of alcohol after an earlier celebration with colleagues and friends. He was moving to the company’s base on Long Island in the Whitsundays.

“We would like to address rumours regarding a gathering of some Nautilus Aviation employees, including off-duty pilots, on Sunday night,” the company said.

“We can confirm this event did occur and was a privately organised send-off for the individual involved in Monday morning’s incident, who was recently promoted to a ground crew position at another one of our bases. This was not a work event and was co-ordinated by friends.”

Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau continue to investigate the crash.

Hundreds of guests were evacuated and two people hospitalised after the “massive explosion” at DoubleTree by Hilton in Cairns.

The helicopter’s wreckage was removed from the hotel late on Monday.

Nautilus Aviation extended its “heartfelt condolences to the individual’s family and all who have been affected by this tragedy, and continue to offer our support to our employees during this very challenging period”.

Cairns Airport said a review indicated its security had not been compromised.

“Our thoughts are with all affected by the distressing incident at Cairns Esplanade yesterday,” said the airport’s chief executive, Richard Barker.

“Cairns Airport operates under a federally approved, multi-layered transport security program.

“To reassure our community, we wish to confirm a review has been conducted, showing no compromise of our airport fence or access points.”

The helicopter was seen flying for at least five minutes in the Cairns CBD before it crashed into the hotel roof, smashing the windows of nearby rooms, one of which was occupied by a sleeping elderly couple.

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into a waterfront hotel in Cairns was killed and two people were injured.Credit:

The pair, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Propellers were dislodged when the helicopter hit the roof, with one landing on the street outside and the other in the hotel’s pool while still on fire.

Investigators hope to learn more from the helicopter’s recorded data, which has been sent for analysis.

With AAP

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