Natalie (00:00):
New details are emerging on the unauthorized flight of a stolen helicopter which crashed into a Cairns hotel, leaving the pilot dead and hundreds of guests severely shaken. We now know the aircraft belonged to private charter company Nautilus Aviation, and it was taken from Cairns Airport just four minutes before crashing into the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. But the charter company says all their pilots are accounted for. Investigators are now trying to piece together how the shocking events all unfolded. For more, let’s cross to aviation lawyer and pilot, Peter Carter. Good morning to you. This helicopter was flown low and erratically over Cairns for almost five minutes. Are you surprised more people weren’t injured here?

Peter Carter (00:45):
Morning, Nat. Yes. We should all be thankful that it wasn’t a far more serious accident. Collisions with buildings are obviously potentially enormously dangerous and we should all be very thankful.

Natalie (00:59):
Yeah, especially with the rotor landing on that esplanade near where people were sitting. We’re now being told this aircraft was stolen. Not anybody can just steal a helicopter. What would you need to know to steal one?

Peter Carter (01:15):
Well, firstly, you’d need to be able to get into the general aviation compound at Cairns Airport that’s secure. Then you’d need to be able to get into the hangar. And of course, then you have to be able to get the aircraft out of the hangar and to commence the flight. So someone with helicopter knowledge and possibly company knowledge is most likely responsible for the stolen aircraft.

Natalie (01:41):
Okay. First of all, to fly it, a layperson like me who’s never flown a chopper before, could I do it? Or you’d have to have been a pilot?

Peter Carter (01:50):
Nat, I’m sure you’re very accomplished, but I don’t think you could do it. No. You need to be at least a student who’s a long way progressed in his flying training or an accomplished licensed pilot.

Natalie (02:05):
Okay. So the company says it wasn’t one of their pilots, possibly a past pilot or someone from another company. What does this say for security at Cairns Airport?

Peter Carter (02:15):
Well, I’ve heard reports that security’s been reviewed and everything found to be okay, but I’m sure that that will be one of the factors looked into. The security is similar at all general aviation airports around the country, so it’s an issue that has national importance.

Natalie (02:33):
So if they say security’s okay, could it be someone who was allowed to have access to that area?

Peter Carter (02:39):
Well, I’ve seen newspaper reports this morning that, uncorroborated, that it might’ve been a former employee who in that case would have knowledge, would known where the key was, would’ve known how to access the hangar. So it’s that sort of person who is probably is my guess is responsible.

Natalie (02:58):
Okay. Well, as we’ve said, an ATSB investigation well underway. Peter Carter, thank you very much for your time this morning.

Peter Carter (03:05):
Thanks, Natalie.