Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Sunday 13 April 2008 at about 1910, the fishing charter vessel Pursuit was lying to its anchor on the south-western side of Murimotu Island, North Cape when it grounded on rocks close to its anchored position. The Pursuit had 5 passengers and 2 crew on board. The New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre and Police mounted a rescue operation using the Northland Emergency Services Trust helicopter but the helicopter was unable to winch anyone to safety owing to the weather conditions.. The vessel was subsequently towed off the rocks by another vessel.

At about 1149 on Friday 14 March 2008, southbound express freight Train 923 collided with a truck on Hawke Road level crossing, Orari, between Rangitata and Temuka on the Main South Line, when the truck moved into the path of the approaching train. The level crossing had passive control "Stop" signage. All signage and road markings were in place and in good condition.

On 17 February 2008, a mid-air collision between a light aeroplane and a small helicopter over Paraparaumu resulted in the deaths of 2 student pilots (aged 17 and 19 years) and a flight examiner (aged 30). Both aircraft were destroyed and several homes and commercial premises damaged, but no persons on the ground were injured.

The Commission was New Zealand's Accredited Representative to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Department of Transport, United Kingdom for their investigation into the above occurrence. Their report was published as "Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe, G-AKUI and Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL, ZK-KAY". Using the link in the sidebar to the right.

At about 1320 on 10 November 2007, a Fletcher FU24-950EX aeroplane, registered ZK-EGV, was engaged in aerial top-dressing of a farm near Opotiki when it descended into trees in a small gully about 600 metres from the area being top-dressed. The pilot, the only occupant, was killed.

On Wednesday 7 November 2007, at about 0140, the trailing bogie of wagon UK10696, on Auckland to New Plymouth express freight Train 533, derailed at 103.848 kilometres (km) on the Stratford - Okahukura Line. The derailed wagon was dragged a further 2.75 km until the leading bogie also derailed. The wagon tipped on its side, derailing the wagon immediately in front and behind it. There were no injuries.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

At 1555 on Friday 26 October 2007, Cessna A152 ZK-KID was on a cross-country navigation training flight when it entered a narrow and rising valley at low level from which escape was impossible. As the instructor attempted to manoeuvre out of the valley, the aircraft struck several trees. The instructor was killed and the student suffered serious injuries, but was able to walk out and summon assistance.

Between Friday 19 October 2007 and Sunday 5 October 2008, there were 12 occurrences when wheel-bearings failed on wagons travelling on express freight trains at various locations in the North and South Island. Seven of the 12 wheel-bearing failures resulted in the affected wagon derailing, and causing a number of following wagons to also derail. The derailments caused extensive damage to the rolling stock, freight it was conveying and the rail network. On 2 occasions, molten metal from the failed wheel-bearings resulted in fires in trackside foliage and across adjacent land.

At about 1915 on Saturday 22 September 2007, southbound express freight Train 239 parted between the 22nd and 23rd wagons while the train was travelling on the North Island Main Trunk line between Te Awamutu and Te Kawa. The emergency brakes applied automatically as the air pressure in the brake pipe reduced and both portions of the train rolled to a stop, some distance apart.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

[Incorporated into Report 07-005] On 29 May 2007, a Saab SF340A aircraft that was holding on an angled taxiway at Auckland International Airport was inadvertently cleared to line up in front of a landing Raytheon 1900D. The aerodrome controller transmitted an amended clearance, but the transmission crossed with that of the Saab crew reading back the line-up clearance. The pilots of both aircraft took action to avoid a collision and stopped on the runway without any damage or injury.