Find an inquiry
The following section analyses the circumstances surrounding the event to identify those factors that increased the likelihood of the event occurring or increased the severity of its outcome.
Find a recommendation
A complete list of recommendations from safety inquiries, along with links to the investigations that led to them, so that those with the authority to make changes can act on them.
Learn about TAIC's safety watchlist
Policy makers, regulatory agencies, and transport sector participants need to take faster action to deal with these long standing and serious transport safety concerns.
Latest updates
Aviation
AO-2026-009
The Commission is investigating an accident involving a Cessna 172P near Nelson at approximately 0922 on 3 November 2026.The reported circumstances were that the aircraft, registration ZK-BFQ, departed Nelson Airport and was reported overdue. Search and rescue then located the wreckage in remote terrain at North Castor Peak, Bryant Range, near the Nelson - Marlborough boundary. The two occupants were deceased and the aircraft was destroyed.
Incident date:
In progress
Rail
RO-2026-109
The Commission is inquiring into a train derailment on the Midland Line at about 2200 on 3 November 2026.The reported circumstances were that, the KiwiRail-operated coal train 834 was heading to Christchurch and was near Otira when at least one of its wagons derailed. The train stopped inside the Otira Tunnel. While no injuries were reported, there was extensive damage to both the rolling stock and railway infrastructure.
Incident date:
In progress
Rail
RO-2026-108
The Commission is investigating an accident involving a heritage train at Te Awamutu railway station in which one person died.
Incident date:
In progress
Aviation
AO-2026-008
For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is assisting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States of America.
Incident date:
In progress
Aviation
AO-2026-007
For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is assisting an investigation by the Accident investigation Commission of Papua New Guinnea (PNG).
Incident date:
In progress
Rail
RO-2026-107
The Commission is investigating an incident involving a TransDev Wellington-operated metro passenger train on the North Island Main Trunk line on 1 September 2026. The reported circumstances were that the South-bound Train 6219, was travelling towards Plimmerton Station when it passed signal 803 at stop. With emergency braking, the train came to rest approximately 59 metres past the signal. Reportedly, there were no conflicting rail movements, no damage to the train or track, and none of the 89 passengers and four crew were injured.
Incident date:
In progress
Rail
RO-2026-106
The Commission is investigating a safe working irregularity that occurred around 1250am on 23 July 2026, on North Island Main Trunk Line between Papakura and Wiri, Auckland.
Incident date:
In progress
Aviation
AO-2026-006
For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission provided assistance in New Zealand for the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore.
Incident date:
Published
Aviation
AO-2026-005
For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission is assisting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States of America. The reported circumstances were that on 14 June, 2026, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL (USA registration N221BN) operated by Skydive Kansas City crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and all 11 passengers. The wreckage was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Incident date:
In progress
