Mil Mi-8T YS-1005P, went out of control and main rotor severed tailboom while in cruise flight, near Hokitika, 16 October 1993
      
  Status
              Closed
          Occurrence Date
              Report Publication Date
              Jurisdiction
              NZ
          Legacy Inquiry Number
              93-013
          On 16 October 1993, MIL MI-8T helicopter YS-1005P, went out of control and broke up while in cruise flight.  An uncommanded yaw led to a pitch excursion severe enough for the main rotor to strike and sever the tail boom.  The helicopter's three occupants were killed in the accident.  The precise cause of the uncommanded yaw could not be determined.
      Location
              near Hokitika (-42.868290,170.940013) [may be approximate]