Helicopter Pilot Who Crashed into a Hotel Had Drunk a ‘Significant Amount of Alcohol,’ Report Finds
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final report on the helicopter crash that occurred on August 12, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. The report confirms that the pilot, 23-year-old Blake Wilson, had a significant blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash.
Wilson, a New Zealand citizen and ground crew employee for Nautilus Aviation, was not authorized to fly at night. He had been socializing and drinking alcohol with friends at various venues in Cairns for his farewell party before the crash. The investigation found that Wilson accessed the helicopter using a security pass and took off after turning off the helicopter’s strobe lights, making his flight difficult to detect from the airport’s air traffic control tower.
The helicopter, a Robinson R44 II, flew over populated areas at an altitude significantly lower than the 1,000 feet required by air safety regulations. The crash occurred when the helicopter pitched up and then descended steeply onto the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, resulting in a fiery explosion and the evacuation of approximately 400 guests. Two hotel guests were briefly hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The toxicology report showed “high levels of blood alcohol concentration,” indicating that Wilson was heavily influenced by alcohol during the flight. The investigation concluded that Wilson’s actions heightened the danger to himself and others on the ground by executing an unauthorized flight in a no-fly zone over the Cairns CBD.
