Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Monday 6 August 2001 at about 0730, a lifeboat and rescue boat launching drill was conducted on board the passenger and freight ferry "Aratere". At about 0750, during the recovery of the port lifeboat, the forward hook of the synchronous release equipment opened spontaneously when the lifeboat was about one metre above the water. The bow of the lifeboat fell back into the water. None of the 8 occupants were injured and the lifeboat sustained no damage. Safety issues identified included:

On Wednesday 29 September 2004 at about 1720, the passenger freight ferry "Aratere" was entering Tory Channel from Cook Strait when it failed to make a programmed course alteration while in automatic steering. The navigational bridge team had to intervene and make a manual alteration of course to prevent the Aratere from grounding at full speed on the north side of the channel. Safety issues identified included: - the adequacy of bridge resource management - the adequacy of training in the use of all integrated bridge systems

[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 Tuesday 7 March 2000, Aerospatiale AS 350BA helicopter ZK-HWK was on a local charter flight from Raglan to Mount Karioi, carrying technicians to service telecommunications equipment located on the summit. It was being flown in conditions of reduced visibility resulting from local cloud when it collided with trees and the ground, killing all 4 occupants. The time of the accident and the detail of the flight path could not be conclusively established, but the pilot may have inadvertently lost visual reference with the surface in deteriorating visibility.

This report examines 3 derailments due to washouts and slips (occurrences 02-101, 02-102 and 02-103) caused by inclement weather in the South Island during January 2002. No serious injuries were sustained but the opportunity existed in each case for more serious and potentially life threatening injuries to have occurred. Safety issues identified by these incidents included: • the lack of a formalised early warning river flow level notification process for the Rangitata River • the lack of staff available to respond to operating contingencies during the holiday period

On 21 December 1993 Train 573 struck and a pedestrian near Marton. The safety issue identified by this investigation was the lack of warning signs against trespassing over two rail bridges and along the track in the area of this accident.

On Saturday, 22 March 1997, at approximately 1848 hours Train 3656, a northbound suburban electric multiple unit service, collided with a car on Sutherland Avenue level crossing, Trentham. The three occupants of the car suffered minor injuries. The level crossing protection was not activated until the train was almost on the crossing. The cause of the incident was the failure of Train 3656 to stop at a signal displaying a red aspect.

On the morning of 27 April 2011, an instructor and a student pilot in a Robinson R22 helicopter departed from Wanaka Aerodrome on a cross-country training flight through part of the Southern Alps.

On Monday 24 June 2002, at about 0730, Air Napier PA31-310 Navajo ZK-NPR was on a freight flight from Palmerston North when the pilot had to make an emergency landing at Napier because the right undercarriage was unable to be extended. The landing was successful, with moderate damage to the aircraft and no injury to the pilot. The right undercarriage had failed to extend because the uplock hook could not release the undercarriage leg. This resulted from a flat oleo strut becoming compressed, and was a previously unknown design deficiency.

On Wednesday 19 April 2006 at about 0005, the fishing boat "Venture" grounded on the beach at the base of a small cliff just to the north of Tipi Bay in Tory Channel while on passage from Picton to Oamaru. After checking the watertight integrity of the boat, the skipper attempted to re-float the boat but was unsuccessful. As the boat was in no immediate danger and the crew had suffered no injuries, the skipper decided to wait until daylight before summoning assistance. The crew of a passing ferry noticed the boat aground and reported the incident to Picton harbour radio.

[Investigation incorporated in report 04-123. Please refer to that report.]