'Unauthorised' helicopter flight ends with crash on hotel roof in Australia, killing pilot
Wellington (AP/PTI): A man died after an unauthorised helicopter flight in Queensland, Australia ended in a crash on a hotel roof early Monday morning, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people from the building as flames engulfed the aircraft.
Authorities in the city of Cairns said that they had not confirmed the identity of the pilot, his reason for making the flight or how the tourist helicopter was able to take off from Cairns Airport.
A couple staying at the hotel was hospitalised suffering from smoke inhalation and have now been discharged, Queensland Police Service Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes told reporters. No one else on the ground was hurt.
Holmes said it was not known if the man flying the helicopter held a pilot's license or if he worked for the company that owned the craft, Nautilus Aviation.
“There is no further threat to the community, and we believe this is an isolated incident,” Holmes said.
Nautilus Aviation said in an unattributed written statement that the flight was “unauthorised” but would not supply any further details.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said initial findings of a review Monday showed “no compromise of the airport security program or processes."
About 400 people were evacuated from the hotel after the crash, which happened in the early hours of the morning in a busy tourist district of Cairns — a tropical city of 150,000 people in far north Queesland — where it is peak season for holidaymakers. Witnesses told local news outlets the crash sounded like a bomb exploding.
Smoke and flames billowed from the roof of the Doubletree Hilton and one of the helicopter's rotor blades landed in the hotel pool, the Australian broadcaster ABC reported.
The hotel remains cordoned off while its structural integrity is being examined.
#BREAKING: Helicopter crashes into roof of Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Cairns Australia at 2AM. 400 people evacuated.#Australia #HelicopterCrash #helicopter #crash #HiltonHotel pic.twitter.com/VL920szSF1
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Over 100 flights delayed at Delhi airport as dense fog reduces visibility
New Delhi (PTI): More than 100 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Wednesday morning due to dense fog resulting in low visibility.
An official said no flight diversions or cancellations have been reported so far.
"Low visibility and fog over Delhi may lead to some delays. We're keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be , safely and smoothly," IndiGo said in a post on X at 8.18 am.
Delhi airport operator DIAL said while landings and takeoffs continue at the airport, flights that are not CAT III-compliant may get affected.
CAT III facility allows flight operations in low visibility conditions.
As per information available on Flightradar24.com, over 100 flights were delayed on Wednesday.
"Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X at 7.35 am.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.
