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ZK-IGD, Bell 206L-3 LongRanger helicopter, in flight Photographed near Auckland, January 2022. The helicopter has landing skids.

Aviation AO-2025-003: Bell 206L-3, impacted ground, near Matatā, 27 July 2025

, Inquiry Status: Current

TAIC is investigating an accident involving a Bell 206L-3 LongRanger helicopter, registration ZK-IGD, that occurred about 15km north-west of Whakatane near Matatā at around 1500 on 27 July 2025. The reported circumstances were that shortly after lift-off the helicopter experienced violent shaking and it impacted the ground on its left side. Emergency services attended the scene and one of the three occupants was airlifted to Tauranga hospital with moderate injuries. The two other occupants sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was extensively damaged.

File photo of bulk carrier Achilles Bulker taken in 2022 near Nelson, New Zealand. The vessel is shown high out of the water, with anchor deployed, positioned behind a low-lying gravel or sandbar. Rust staining is visible along the hull, deck cranes, and superstructure. The ship has four cargo cranes and closed hatch covers, indicating a geared bulk carrier configuration. The vessel is lit by sunlight from a low angle, casting warm tones across the scene. Mountain ranges are visible in the background.

Marine News: QA issues with ship steering gear installs

TAIC report: Rudder failure highlights installation safety issue
TAIC identifies serious safety issue: the need for robust quality assurance when installing steering systems.
A cargo ship narrowly avoided grounding when its rudder detached mid-transit. The crew and pilots acted fast…

The Achilles Bulker is shown high out of the water, possibly under way behind a low-lying gravel bar. Rust staining is visible along the hull, deck cranes, and superstructure. The ship has four cargo cranes and closed hatch covers, indicating a geared bulk carrier configuration. The vessel is lit by sunlight from a low angle, casting warm tones across the scene. A mountain range is visible in the distance.

Marine MO-2023-205: Bulk carrier, Achilles Bulker, Loss of rudder, Off the Port of Tauranga, 24 July 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

Key safety issue: the need for robust quality assurance when working on steering systems.

Cargo ship narrowly avoided grounding when rudder detached mid-transit. The crew and pilots acted fast to anchor the vessel and prevent grounding.

TAIC found poor-quality welds…

Aerial view of the container ship Shiling adrift in open ocean following a machinery failure during its second incident in 2023. The vessel is heavily laden with multi-coloured shipping containers stacked on deck. The bow is visibly trimmed low, and the ship appears to be listing slightly to port. Sea state is moderate under clear skies, with the New Zealand coastline faintly visible on the horizon. Image captured by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter during a response operation

Marine Substandard ships should be banned from New Zealand

Media release, first published 6 June 2025
Deferred maintenance is a risk in itself. It’s virtually certain the container ship Shiling was unseaworthy when in NZ, despite holding valid certificates. Shiling twice…

Front end view of a railway track tamper machine derailed inside a tunnel. The tamper has come to rest with a noticeable lateral tilt, indicating loss of alignment with the rails. A significant quantity of crushed stone ballast has been pushed forward and accumulated ahead of the machine, consistent with it having run approximately 16 metres off the rails through loose ballast. The image also shows the tunnel interior, tunnel wall markings, and components of the tamper's cab and underframe.

Rail Derailment report - Rules don’t keep overstretched workers safe

The lesson for all high-risk work sites: don’t rely on procedures alone; physical protections are essential.
TAIC recommends that KiwiRail:
- Improve authorisation for rail movements;
- Require…

Aerial view of the Japanese longline fishing vessel Chokyo Maru aground on rocks near a steep coastline, with a harbour tug made fast to the vessel’s stern via a tow line. The tug is manoeuvring to refloat or reposition the grounded vessel. A group of support craft is visible in pontoon at anchor in deeper water some 60m off the starboard bow of the grounded vessel. The surrounding area features submerged hazards and clear turquoise water, indicating shallow depths and rocky outcrops

Marine TAIC reports on a failure of basic seamanship

Grounding near Auckland: new TAIC report reminds us why the basics always matter. This is a real-world case study and useful training material for what can go wrong when safety critical staff overlook the basics.

Air New Zealand Airbus A320 aircraft ZK-OXJ in flight with landing gear extended, approaching for landing against a blue sky. The aircraft features a distinctive black-and-white koru fern livery.

Aviation TAIC reports on likely near collision of drone and passenger jet

A drone likely came close to an passenger jet on approach to a major NZ airport, the drone being in breach of NZ civil aviation rules. TAIC recommends drone registration, remote ID, and geo-fencing, calls on Ministry of…

Close-up view of the right-hand main landing gear of a Boeing 777 aircraft on a wet airport apron during rainfall. The image shows six main gear tyres; the rear-most tyre (right side of image) is visibly deflated and compressed under load, with sidewall deformation. Other tyres appear fully inflated. Water runoff is visible on the gear structure and pooling on the concrete surface. A ground vehicle is present in the background to the right.

TAIC reports on Boeing 777 veering off runway

TAIC reports on Boeing 777 passenger jet veering off runway: heavy rain contributed to late transition from autopilot to manual control. The report has lessons for all aircraft operators: ensure crews know and…

Workers in orange high-vis on a train track near a level crossing

Rail Newsletter: Freight train near miss with rail workers

TAIC report on rail near miss reinforces importance of effective supervision of trainees undertaking safety-critical tasks and robust engineering risk controls for complex systems.
Lessons for all industries…