Cairns helicopter crash: General aviation security explained as CCTV details emerge
A charter pilot has addressed security protocols at the Cairns general aviation terminal while CCTV footage connected to the theft of a helicopter before its fatal four-minute flight has emerged.
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Footage of “just one person” entering the Nautilus Aviation hangar in the general aviation section of the Cairns Airport has emerged, recorded in the minutes before an unauthorised chopper flight turned fatal.
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said he had been briefed on the CCTV footage, which captured the theft of the Robinson R44 on Monday night.
“I was told the footage showed it was just one person involved,” Mr Entsch said.
“It was not made clear to me how the individual gained access into the hangar, but the chopper was inside the hangar.
“Once inside, I’m advised the individual used a trolley jack to move the aircraft outside, and subsequently took off.”
Flight path image goes viral
Mr Entsch said his office had also been sent what appeared to be the flight path, which the veteran MP described as “bizarre” but could not confirm its authenticity.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said investigators were looking at all possible evidence, and were aware the flight path Mr Entsch referred to was “doing the rounds” but could not comment on its legitimacy either.
Nautilus Aviation chief executive Aaron Finn said he too had seen the image of the flight path but wasn’t sure what website it had originated from and agreed it was “fair to rule it out.”
Mr Entsch said he felt deeply saddened for the helicopter company Nautilus.
“They are a terrific company and it is an absolute tragedy for them. I was so relieved when I heard it wasn’t one of their pilots involved.
“It’s also a tragedy for the hotel and the guests injured in this incident, and I wish them a speedy recovery”
General aviation ‘couldn’t afford’ heightened security
Mr Entsch urged people not to panic about security protocols and procedures at the general aviation wing of the airport.
“Yes, I do a fair bit of charter and the operation at general aviation is very different to commercial.
“It just wouldn’t be practical to have the same level of security at general aviation. You just couldn’t afford it, we’d destroy the general aviation sector.
“We shouldn’t be panicking, general aviation has been there for a very long time, and I can’t remember an incident like this ever.
“We need to wait for all the facts, and then yes, learn from it, but to turn the whole thing (security wise) on its head would have a huge impact on general aviation – and we need ease of action to keep it viable.”
While the identity of the man involved in allegedly stealing and then crashing the Nautilus Aviation helicopter is still unknown, questions remain over his ability to access a private hangar, aircraft and airspace – without intervention.
Cairns charter pilot explains security and ‘relaxed access’ at general aviation
A Cairns-based charter company pilot said there were multiple security protocols in place to prevent unauthorised access beyond the fenced areas.
The pilot the airport was divided into two sections – landside and airside which helped differentiate security access, with the latter requiring approval to obtain entry. He said while access at general aviation was “more relaxed” than the commercial side – where customers for charter flights had the ability to approach a hangar, walk onto its floor, and directly out onto the tarmac and parked aircraft without an official security clearance, there were still steps in place to ensure proper access.
“So with us, our doors would never be open if there wasn’t at least the ground handlers present,” the pilot said.
“Yes, we can get customers who walk around and they might pop their head out the hangar before we’re ready for a sticky beak, but we’d warm them pretty quickly.
“But to have authorised access to the airside you need to have an ASIC (Aviation Security Identification Card) and if you have one of them it’s that person’s responsibility to ensure that the airside security is always secure – for example to make sure hangar doors aren’t just left wide open.
“From that perspective from general aviation, the AFP are always monitoring that. If there’s hangar doors getting left wide open, or fence gates open, or any damage, the AFP is going to know about it.”
He said beyond the ASIC pass, each aviation company was awarded security codes by Cairns Airport which changed each month, and were required at the gates to gain entry to the airside of the airport.
He said ASIC passes were available to be obtained by staff who weren’t trained pilots and included mechanics, engineers and ground handlers.
While it is unclear how the man involved in the helicopter crash accessed the Nautilus Aviation hangar, Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker on Tuesday reaffirmed there had been no security breaches.
“Cairns Airport operates under a federally approved, multi-layered transport security program,” he said.
“To reassure our community, we wish to confirm a review has been conducted, showing no compromise of our airport fence or access points.”
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Originally published as Cairns helicopter crash: General aviation security explained as CCTV details emerge
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