The pilot who died in a helicopter crash on a hotel roof was no novice and was familiar with the safety of the aircraft’s hangar, says an expert.
Authorities have not yet identified the pilot of the unauthorized flight following Monday’s fatal crash in far north Queensland.
Following the “massive explosion” at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cairns, hundreds of guests were evacuated and two people were hospitalized.
After the wreckage of the helicopter was recovered from the hotel late Monday, investigators were still unable to clarify the circumstances.
Aviation expert Peter Carter said the pilot must have had basic knowledge of helicopter flying and may have been a former employee of Nautilus Aviation, the owner of the helicopter.
Authorities declined to comment on whether the pilot had a license or how the helicopter was able to leave Cairns Airport without permission.
“It could have been a student pilot or a licensed pilot … perhaps a former employee,” aviation lawyer Carter told AAP.
Police did not confirm whether the helicopter was stolen, but said on Monday it had been “removed” from Cairns Airport’s general aviation hangar without permission.
Nautilus Aviation confirmed that it owned the four-seat Robinson 44 helicopter and that it was an “unauthorized” flight.
Mr Carter said the pilot would have had to know safety information to gain access to the aircraft hangar.
“One of the main focuses of the investigation is how sufficient this security method is,” said Carter Capner Law Director.
The Interior Ministry, which is responsible for airport security, is also expected to be involved in the investigation into the crash.
An inspection revealed that access to the Cairns Airport site had not been affected, the airport said.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the disturbing incident at Cairns Esplanade yesterday,” said Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker.
“Cairns Airport operates under a government-approved, multi-layered transport security program.
“To reassure our community, we would like to confirm that an inspection has been carried out which has shown no impact on our airport fence or access points.”
The helicopter was seen in the air over Cairns’ central business district for at least five minutes before crashing into the roof of a hotel, shattering the windows of surrounding rooms, one of which housed a sleeping elderly couple.
The hotel guests, a man in his eighties and a woman in her seventies, were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and have since been released.
Mr Carter said night flying required more concentration and may have contributed to the crash.
“If it was an accident, then darkness probably played a role,” he said.
The investigators hope to gain further insights from the helicopter recording data that was sent in for evaluation.
“Flying a helicopter and getting it off the ground is not something that everyone can do,” Angus Mitchell, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, told ABC radio on Tuesday.
“You need someone who knows the helicopter itself and its flight technology very well.”
When the helicopter hit the roof, propellers came loose, one landing on the street and the other, still on fire, landing in the hotel’s pool. Up to 400 guests had to be evacuated.
“It’s a miracle … it certainly could have been a lot worse,” Mitchell said.
“It was not just the enormous forces of the impact damage, but also the fire that followed.”
Police have assured the public that they believe the “disturbing” incident is an isolated incident.
