Helicopter Crash on DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Roof in Cairns Kills Pilot During Unauthorized Flight Sparking Fire and Evacuation of Hundreds

A helicopter crash on the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, Queensland, has left the pilot dead and sparked a fire, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of guests. The unauthorized early morning flight has raised concerns, with investigations underway.

In a tragic incident early Monday morning, a helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, a popular tourist destination in northern Queensland, Australia. The crash, which occurred around 01:50 local time (16:50 BST Sunday), resulted in the death of the helicopter’s pilot, who was the only occupant of the aircraft. The impact sparked a fire, forcing the evacuation of approximately 400 hotel guests.

Authorities responded quickly to the scene, where two guests—a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s—were taken to the hospital in stable condition. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash, with some local media outlets suggesting that the helicopter may have been stolen.

The crash caused significant damage to the hotel, with two of the helicopter’s rotor blades breaking off upon impact. One blade landed on the esplanade, while the other fell into the hotel pool, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). QAS spokeswoman Caitlin Dennings noted that the impact of the crash was so intense that many hotel guests initially thought a bomb had gone off due to the sound of the explosion and subsequent fire.