Pilot Killed in Unauthorized Cairns Helicopter Crash

A tragic helicopter crash in Cairns, Australia, involving a Robinson R44 owned by Nautilus Aviation, resulted in the death of the pilot, Blake Wilson, a New Zealand national. Wilson, a ground crew member recently promoted within the company, gained unauthorized access to the helicopter after attending a farewell party. The helicopter crashed into the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, leading to the evacuation of around 400 guests and minor injuries to two people. Investigations are ongoing to determine how Wilson accessed and flew the helicopter, as he was not authorized to fly in Australia. The incident has drawn attention to Chris Morris, the billionaire owner of Nautilus Aviation, whose extensive business empire includes hospitality and aviation interests. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau aims to complete its investigation by Q1 2025.