Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

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

On Thursday 6 July 2000 at about 0915, Aoraki Balloon Safaris Aerostar S81A hot air balloon ZK-SKY was on a local flight in good weather near Methven with 13 passengers and 2 crew. During a go-around following a missed approach to land, the balloon descended to a position where a power line could not be avoided. After contacting the earth wire the balloon could not be climbed clear, so it was descended between the live power conductors underneath, to land without injury or damage.

On Tuesday 12 November 2002, at 2338, ZK-FMW, a Piper PA34-200T Seneca II, was returning to Ardmore Aerodrome with the pilot and 3 passengers on board. While landing on the lighted runway, the aircraft’s undercarriage began to collapse. The aircraft scraped along the runway for a short distance before veering off the side of the runway and on to grass. The occupants were unhurt and vacated the aircraft unassisted. The aircraft was substantially damaged.

The Commission found that the fire was seated amongst bales of polypropylene bags that were stored in the fishmeal bagging room, but was unable to establish with any certainty what started the fire. The Commission also found that the Amaltal Columbia's design and systems for the prevention, detection, containment and fighting of a fire met the standards of the applicable maritime rules; however, there were some aspects that could have been improved, and the consequences of the fire could have been lessened, with a more risk-based approach to operations.

The historic fighter aircraft was being flown from Wanaka to Auckland to take part in an Air Display. A brief landing was planned at Woodbourne to refuel. The pilot made a standard approach to grass runway 07 with allowance for the light crosswind. Shortly after a normal touchdown, an unexpected gust caused a swing to the right. Braking action was uneffective on the wet grass and the pilot applied power for a go-around, but the aircraft slid sideways and the left undercarriage collapsed at the edge of the asphalt taxiway which crossed the grass runway at right angles.

After boarding six passengers for a river rafting trip the pilot lifted off the hillside helipad. While commencing to move forward he allowed main rotor torque to turn the helicopter to the left but found that full right pedal was insufficient to stop the rotation to the left. An attempt to achieve forward speed by use of the cyclic control was unsuccessful and after about four rotations the helicopter collided with the hillside, rolled over rearwards and came to rest inverted. Four of the passengers sustained minor injury.

On Tuesday 19 October 2004 at about 1018, the passenger freight ferry "Aratere" was transiting Queen Charlotte Sound after departing Picton when it lost all power. After a few minutes, emergency power was restored and the master navigated safely down the sound until full manoeuvring power was restored. The master then conned the vessel back to Picton to effect repairs to one of the diesel generators. Safety issues identified included: - procedures covering the replacement of diesel generator cylinder heads

On Monday 28 June 2004, at about 0710, the power generator unit at the rear of passenger express Train 1605 caught fire as the train berthed at Carterton Station. The train manager expended one of 3 fire extinguishers carried on board the train to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to passengers or crew. Safety issues identified included: - the layout of the generator enclosure - the installation of the fire detection and suppression system. Three safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of Toll NZ Consolidated Limited to address these issues.

On Thursday 29 November 2001, at about 0930, Cessna A185E Skywagon ZK-JGI took off from Motueka Aerodrome on a local parachuting flight. Shortly after take-off, at about 100 feet, ZK-JGI had a sudden and total power loss. Unable to re-establish power, the pilot guided the aircraft to a nearby kiwifruit orchard. After clipping trees the aircraft struck the ground heavily, resulting in the pilot and 4 parachutists receiving serious injuries and 1 parachutist sustaining minor injuries. The power loss was due to the pilot inadvertently selecting the fuel Off before the flight.

Between March 2007 and October 2009 there were 5 derailments involving container wagons conveying single 6-metre (m) containers loaded with bulk grain, positioned on the leading ends of the wagons. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (the Commission) combined the events into a single inquiry.

On Thursday 25 January 2001 at about 0945, the commercial jet boat "Huka Jet 3", with a driver and 10 passengers on board, was proceeding at about 60 km/h into the area known as the "Second Tunnel" on Lake Aratiatia on the Waikato River near Taupo, when the extreme right rear of the boat struck a rock on the riverbank. The impact slewed the boat to the right and despite the driver’s efforts to regain control, the boat climbed the riverbank and came to rest among the trees within the tunnel area. Four of the passengers were severely injured and 4 others received minor injuries.

In February 2015 the Kea passenger ferry from downtown Auckland struck Devonport wharf at speed after the master was unable to properly control the vessel’s propulsion system. The Kea’s hull was damaged and seven passengers were hospitalised. Fullers Ferries have taken action to address personnel and training issues; to modify vessel systems and implement a new safety management system. Maritime NZ has responded positively to a Recommendation for businesses in the sector to adopt a risk-based approach to changes to critical systems.