Wellington, New Zealand (AP) - In a tragic incident, a man employed by Nautilus Aviation tragically lost his life when the helicopter he was piloting crashed onto the roof of a hotel in far north Queensland, Australia. The incident occurred on Monday morning at the DoubleTree Hilton in Cairns, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 400 people from the premises.

Nautilus Aviation released a statement confirming that the deceased individual was an employee of their ground crew. Although he held a helicopter pilot's license in New Zealand, it is important to note that he was not authorized to operate the company's helicopters. The identity of the man has not been disclosed to the public.

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Questions have arisen regarding how the helicopter managed to take off from Cairns Airport and what prompted the unauthorized flight. Queensland Police Service Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes reassured the public by stating that they believe this incident to be isolated with no ongoing public safety concerns.

The Nautilus Aviation employee had been with the company for four months and had recently been promoted to a ground crew position at another one of their bases. Prior to the crash, he had attended a social event with colleagues to celebrate his new role. The flight was deemed unauthorized, with the helicopter being described as "misappropriated" by the company.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker issued a statement addressing concerns about airport security. He confirmed that a review revealed no compromise to the airport's fence or access points. The airport operates under a federally approved, multi-layered transport security program.

The incident took place in a bustling tourist district of Cairns, a tropical city with a population of approximately 150,000 people. It is currently peak season for holidaymakers, adding to the significance of this unfortunate event.

As authorities continue their investigation into the tragic crash, further details are expected to emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. The thoughts and condolences of many are with the family and loved ones of the deceased individual during this difficult time.