Country profile
🇳🇿Helicopter incidents in New Zealand
29 helicopter incidents recorded in New Zealand from our database, sourced from NTSB records, news reports, and official investigation authorities.
Total incidents
29
Confirmed fatalities
25
Fatal incidents
13
Peak year
2013 (3)
| Date | Location | Aircraft | Fatalities | Severity | Cause | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-08 | near Eyrewell, North Canterbury, Canterbury | Canadian Home Rotors Safari | 1 | fatal | Unknown | 1News ↗ |
| 2026-01-27 | Paekakariki Hill | Hughes 269C | 2 | fatal | Under investigation | NTSB ↗ |
| 2025-12-13 | Ranana | Bell 206 | 2 | fatal | Under investigation | NTSB ↗ |
| 2025-11-15 | Wellington | Robinson R66 | — | unknown | Under investigation | NTSB ↗ |
| 2023-12-19 | Arthur's Pass | Robinson R44 | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2023-06-02 | Glenorchy | MD Helicopters 500 | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2023-03-02 | Dansey Pass | McDonnell Douglas 500 | — | serious | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2022-01-02 | Karamea | Robinson R22 | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2021-06-12 | Auckland | Robinson R44 | — | serious | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2018-11-06 | Dusky Forest | Aerospatiale AS350 | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2018-10-17 | Wanaka | Hughes 369 | 3 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2018-06-13 | Waiouru | MD Helicopters 600 | — | serious | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2017-03-27 | Reefton | Robinson R22 | 1 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2017-02-19 | Raetihi | Hughes 369E | — | serious | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2016-11-14 | Winton | Robinson R66 | — | unknown | Mechanical failure | NTSB ↗ |
| 2016-10-30 | Kamo | Robinson R44 | 2 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2016-10-06 | Wanaka | MD Helicopters 500 | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2015-11-21 | Fox Glacier | Eurocopter AS350 | 7 | fatal | CFIT / Terrain | NTSB ↗ |
| 2015-02-19 | Queenstown | Robinson R44 Ii | 2 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2015-01-23 | Waikaia | Robinson R44 Ii | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2014-10-07 | Mount Arthur | Robinson R44 Ii | 1 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2014-03-19 | Gisborne | MD Helicopters 500N | 1 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2014-02-25 | Moonlight Creek | Hughes 369D | — | unknown | Pilot error | NTSB ↗ |
| 2013-12-15 | Lake Ross | Hughes 369E | 1 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2013-03-30 | New Plymouth | Robinson R22 Beta | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2013-03-09 | Turangi | Robinson R66 | 1 | fatal | CFIT / Terrain | NTSB ↗ |
| 2012-05-21 | Lake Sumner | Hughes 369D | 1 | fatal | Unknown | NTSB ↗ |
| 2011-02-27 | Manuwatu | Bell UH-1H | — | unknown | Unknown | NTSB |
| 2011-01-20 | Northland | Bell 206 | — | unknown | Mechanical failure | NTSB ↗ |