The MD Helicopters MD500D had just departed from Wanaka (New Zealand) Aerodrome when it broke up in flight and spun to the ground, bursting into flames. The pilot and two passengers were killed in the Oct. 18, 2018, accident, and the helicopter was destroyed.
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said in its final report on the accident, that “very likely1 … the left rear door opened unexpectedly in flight and a pair of unsecured overalls exited from the rear cabin and was struck by the tail rotor.â€
The tail rotor assembly separated from the tail boom and was struck by two main rotor blades. The outer sections of two adjacent blades broke off, and at least one of those pieces struck the tail boom, causing it to fail. This led to the separation of the helicopter’s tail section and the loss of control of the helicopter, the report said.
Accident investigators said the left rear door very likely opened because of “observed wear 
