Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

[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.]

On Wednesday 9 February 2005 and Sunday 20 February 2005, incidents involving steering malfunctions occurred on board the passenger freight ferry "Aratere" while the vessel was on passage between Picton and Wellington. In both incidents, the steering gear operating the port rudder failed to respond to command signals from the navigating bridge. However, in both incidents the navigation of the vessel was continued safely using the starboard steering gear and rudder. Because of the similarities arising from each incident, both incidents have been combined into one report.

[Investigation incorporated in report 04-130. Please refer to that report.]

On Thursday 3 February 2005, at about 0714, Train 829, a Christchurch to Greymouth express freight service, entered the limits of an authorised track occupation area at Phoenix Meat Company siding, Kokiri. The locomotive engineer became aware of the occupation only when he approached the siding to perform a scheduled shunt. One of the track maintenance personnel working at the site within the authorised area was alerted to the proximity of Train 829 when he contacted train control to seek an extension to the occupation. There were no injuries or equipment damage.

On Wednesday 2 February 2005, ZK-FMW, a Piper PA34-200T Seneca, was on an air transport charter flight from Ardmore to Taupo with a pilot and 2 passengers on board. During the instrument approach to Taupo Aerodrome the aircraft deviated left of the published final approach track and at 1154 struck Mount Tauhara, 8 km from the aerodrome. The 3 occupants were killed on impact and the aircraft was destroyed.

On Saturday 29 January 2005, at 1149, Scott Air Cessna 172 ZK-LLB was on a Police cannabis plantation spotting operation from Queenstown, when it collided with the valley side in Doolans Creek Valley 7 km south of Gibbston. The pilot and Police observer were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.

On Thursday 20 January 2005, at about 0744, UK 3083, the eighth wagon on Train 237, an Auckland to Wellington express freight service, derailed as the train passed through the north end of Hunterville on the North Island Main Trunk. The train travelled a further 1100 m until the derailed wagon struck the curved closer rail at the south end points at Hunterville, derailing 3 other wagons and uncoupling the air brake system, which brought the train to a stop. There were no injuries. The safety issue identified was the compatibility of current track and mechanical tolerances.

On Tuesday 18 January 2005, a track warrant control irregularity occurred at Woodville when a track warrant was issued to a locomotive engineer authorising his train to berth on the main line at Makotuku to cross an opposing train. The locomotive engineer of the opposing train was already in possession of a track warrant authorising his train to berth on the main line at Makotuku.

On Friday 7 January 2005, at 1852, ZK-KFB, a Gulfstream G-IV, and ZK-FTR, a Piper PA 28, came into close proximity 10 nautical miles south of Taupo Aerodrome, during their instrument approaches to the aerodrome. On board ZK-KFB were 5 passengers, a flight attendant and 2 pilots. On board ZK-FTR were a passenger and the pilot.

The skipper of the "Doctor Hook" made a distress call. Some of the passengers on board the "Doctor Hook" were initially transferred to the "Quickcat" for medical care and then to a Police boat. The others and the skipper were treated on board the "Doctor Hook," transferring to a Coastguard boat before they were all transported ashore for hospital treatment.

On Wednesday 22 December 2004, ZK-HHT, a Hughes 369D helicopter was carrying a party of 3 kayakers into the upper reaches of Wanganui River, South Westland. The party’s kayaks and paddles were suspended in a cargo net underneath the helicopter. As the helicopter flew up the river the net swung back and struck the tail rotor, resulting in an immediate loss of tail rotor control.

On Saturday 18 December 2004, at about 1510 the restricted limit passenger vessel "Tiger III," while on a cruise to the Hole in the Rock with 59 passengers and 3 crew on board, grounded in the small bay under the Cape Brett lighthouse. The boat was pushed into a narrow gut and came to rest alongside the rocks on the shore. All the passengers were able to get ashore and congregated at the old lighthouse keeper’s cottage, from where they were flown by a fleet of helicopters back to Paihia. No major injuries were sustained.