Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Thursday 15 June 2000 at around 1400, ZK-RCA, a Metro III, landed on runway 14 at Gisborne Aerodrome at which time its left undercarriage drag braces both failed, causing the left undercarriage to collapse aft. A go-around was carried out and the aircraft flown to Hamilton Aerodrome for a wheels-up landing. The 2 pilots on board the aircraft were not injured.

New Zealand has completed its support for this inquiry. Please note, TAIC will not be producing a report for this inquiry.

On Saturday 7 July 2001, at about 1900, express freight Train 842 derailed in the Otira Tunnel. The leading locomotive derailed 2 axles at a failed rail joint which had been installed as a temporary repair for a fractured rail found on Thursday 5 July. There were no injuries. Safety issues identified included: • the suitability of the standards for temporary track repairs • the frequency of inspection of temporary track repairs • the monitoring and control of rail top wear in the Otira Tunnel • the damp contaminated ballast condition throughout the tunnel

On 10 May 2010, a light helicopter and a light aeroplane, both of which were being used for dual pilot training, had a near-collision overhead New Plymouth Aerodrome.

New Zealand has completed its support for this inquiry. TAIC will not be producing a report on this inquiry. A copy of the report produced by the National Transportation Safety Board can be found on the link in the sidebar to the right.

[No report published - TAIC asked to assist investigation by National Transportation Safety Board USA into the incident.]

On Saturday 26 August 2006, at 0907, the lead bogie on passenger Train 9328 derailed when it ran into landslide debris covering the track at 2.474 kilometres (km) on the Johnsonville Line between Wellington and Wadestown. Heavy rain had been falling in the area prior to the derailment. There were no injuries and only minor damage to the train and track. Safety issues identified included: regolith nature of the steep terrain above the Johnsonville Line train control role and responsibilities routine and special track inspections on the Johnsonville Line

[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.]

[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.]

After leaving Milford Sound with a full load of passengers to fly to Queenstown, the engine of ZK-FTL had begun to run less smoothly than normal so the pilot returned to Milford Sound. Following discussion with engineering staff, and ground running checks, the pilot took off for a test circuit. In the circuit the engine again ran roughly, and on late downwind stopped completely. An area of dry riverbed provided the only option for a forced landing.

[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 Thursday 9 March 2000 at about 1750 the stern trawler "Seafresh 1", with 18 crew on board, was steaming about 20 nautical miles north of the Chatham Islands when fire broke out in the switchboard. The engine-room was sealed off and the fire smothered itself. The crew were able to re-enter the engine-room about 6 hours later. There was no electrical or engine power available. While waiting for a tow, the crew discovered water on the factory deck. The crew were eventually able to locate and seal off the ingress and bail out the deck.