MD 500E Helicopter Destroyed in Crash Near Haast, New Zealand

An MD Helicopters MD 500E, registration ZK-HCC, was destroyed May 4 after crashing near the Haast Pass Highway (State Highway 6) on New Zealand's South Island. The Aviation Safety Network reports no fatalities resulted from the accident. Circumstances of the crash have not been officially disclosed.

Authorities have not publicly identified the pilot or operator of the aircraft. The crash occurred in a region known for remote terrain and volatile weather — factors that official investigators have yet to address in a preliminary report. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Industry Context

The accident is the latest in a series of incidents involving the MD 369 helicopter family. In March 2026, an MD 369FF crashed near Mojave, California, killing one person and prompting an NTSB investigation. Earlier that same month, on March 26, a Hughes 369D operated by Airborne Aviation crashed off Kalalau Beach, Kauai, killing three people and injuring two others during a sightseeing flight.