Authorities say it's miraculous other people weren't killed or injured, in Monday morning's helicopter crash in Cairns

New Zealander Blake Wilson died and two others were hospitalised, after he crashed a helicopter -- stolen from his employer -- into the roof of a hotel.

The 23-year-old -- who held a New Zealand pilot's licence -- had been drinking with friends to celebrate a promotion.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell has told the ABC, things could have been much worse.

He says the crash had a catastrophic impact on the hotel -- particularly on two rooms.

Mitchell says there's still lots of work to do before investigators can know exactly what happened.