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Aviation AO-2015-007: Airbus Helicopters AS350BA, ZK-HKU, collision with terrain, Fox Glacier, 21 November 2015

The crash of this AS350 helicopter on Fox Glacier took the lives of seven people. Issues: Operator’s pilot training system did not fully comply with Civil Aviation rules, did not adequately prepare pilot; and manageria...

Aviation TAIC publishes final report on fatal helicopter crash on Fox Glacier in 2015

TAIC has published its final report on the crash of an AS350BA helicopter on Fox Glacier, which took the lives of all seven people on board in November 2015. The helicopter operator’s pilot training system did not full...

Aviation AO-2017-007: Airbus A320 VH-VGY, Descent below clearance limit, Christchurch, 6 August 2017

An Airbus A320 inadvertently flew below minimum safe height on approach to Christchurch Airport. It landed safely. Lesson: properly used automated flight navigation systems will reduce crew workload and result in safer f...

Aviation AO-2019-005: BK-117 helicopter, impact with water, vicinity of Auckland Island, 22 April 2019

The Commission has opened an inquiry into an accident involving a BK117 helicopter near the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands on the evening of 22 April 2019. The helicopter, with three people on board, was on a medical eva...

Marine MO-2017-204: Passenger vessel Seabourn Encore, breakaway from wharf and collision with bulk cement carrier at Timaru, 12 February 2017

The Seabourn Encore was berthed at PrimePort Timaru. In strong south westerly winds, a number of wharf mooring bollards and ship mooring lines progressively failed allowing the ship to swing off the berth and collided wi...

Rail RO-2019-103: Freight train, derailment, junction between the Main North and Napier lines, 4 April 2019

The Commission is investigating a train derailment at Palmerston North on 4 April 2019. A freight train derailed at the junction between the Main North and Napier lines. Six wagons derailed and spilled their load of logs...