Key Factors
- Blake Wilson, 23, was piloting the helicopter when it crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton resort in Cairns.
- Wilson was killed within the crash however no resort friends had been severely injured.
- The investigation into the crash discovered that Wilson had been socialising and consuming alcohol on the evening of the incident.
A pilot who fatally crashed a helicopter on a resort roof in a well-liked vacationer spot had been affected by alcohol, a report says.
Investigators stated on Thursday, Blake Wilson, 23, took the helicopter from a far north Queensland airport hangar for an “pointless and unauthorised” flight after an evening of consuming.
Wilson died when the Robinson R44 helicopter struck the roof of DoubleTree by Hilton in Cairns CBD at about 2am on 12 August, prompting the evacuation of about 400 friends.
Witness studies confirmed the pilot had been socialising and consuming alcohol with pals at varied venues in Cairns earlier than the crash. Supply: AAP / Brian Cassey
Wilson was the helicopter’s sole occupant.
“There was no airworthiness issue with the helicopter that possible contributed to this accident,” Angus Mitchell, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Security Bureau (ATSB), advised reporters.
“The flight was a purposeful act, however there was no proof out there to elucidate the pilot’s intentions.”
Witness studies confirmed the pilot had been socialising and consuming alcohol with pals at varied venues in Cairns for his farewell occasion earlier than the crash.
Wilson returned to his condominium at 11pm earlier than driving to his employer Nautilus Aviation’s helicopter hangar at about 1am.
CCTV footage confirmed the helicopter take off after 1.30am, flying for lower than 20 minutes earlier than crashing.
Wilson flew the helicopter over the CBD, his condominium constructing twice and alongside the marina earlier than heading again in the direction of the town centre.
The flight’s final moments, caught on CCTV, confirmed the helicopter pitching up earlier than instantly descending steeply onto the roof of the resort.
Components of the rotor blade had been present in resort rooms, with different particles strewn throughout the venue’s grounds and on the road.
Mitchell stated it was lucky no resort friends had been severely injured after two aged guests had been handled for smoke inhalation.
The report discovered Wilson didn’t maintain the suitable {qualifications} to fly the helicopter at evening, nor did he have any expertise, given he flew at simply 500 toes over the CBD as a substitute of the regulated 1,000 toes.
“Whereas it was tragic that the younger man misplaced his life, there was vital danger to others right here within the Cairns space which is why we now have put assets to search out out what we are able to have a look at all of the out there proof,” Mitchell stated.
“It’s honest to say that that is fairly an distinctive set of circumstances for the ATSB to be investigating.”
