Inquiries & Recommendations

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TAIC has resolved this inquiry, satisfied that the Interim Report published in May 2018 identified the salient safety issues, which Rolls-Royce had already addressed. The Commission’s early investigations prompted the engine manufacturer to improve its system for forecasting when the fatigue might happen. Affected turbine blades have been replaced in 99% of the global flying fleet.

TAIC has resolved this inquiry, satisfied that the Interim Report published in May 2018 identified the salient safety issues, which Rolls-Royce had already addressed. The Commission’s early investigations prompted the engine manufacturer to improve its system for forecasting when the fatigue might happen. Affected turbine blades have been replaced in 99% of the global flying fleet.

On Friday 17 October 1997, Train 1605 was conveying approximately 60 passengers from Masterton to Wellington on its scheduled service. At 1050 hours when 2.5 km into the 8.8 km long Rimutaka Tunnel the train was stopped as a result of an electrical failure in the locomotive control gear. At 1258 hours a relief locomotive was able to clear the disabled service from the tunnel. There were no injuries.

On Monday, 9 March 1998, at about 0655 hours Train 1603, a Masterton to Wellington suburban passenger service, collided with a transition head which had fallen from the locomotive cowcatcher. Damage to the underside of the train resulted in a 3000 litre diesel fuel spillage. The cause of the collision was a transition head becoming displaced in transit due to inadequate stowage details. Safety deficiencies identified were: • The lack of adequate investigation of the work necessary to convert overseas rolling stock for New Zealand coupling requirements.

On 25 August 1993 Train 901 - the "Southerner" passenger express - collided with a concrete mixer truck on a level crossing at Rolleston. Three passengers on the train were fatally injured and seven seriously injured. The truck driver received minor injuries.

On 9 July 2021, a Kavanagh Balloons E-260 carrying 10 passengers and a pilot on a scenic flight over the Wakatipu Basin made a hard landing after two aborted attempts. The impact ejected the pilot and two passengers, causing serious injuries, while others sustained minor or no injuries. The balloon slid about 150 metres before coming to rest with minor damage.

At 1053 on 18 October 2018, an MD 500D helicopter registered ZK- HOJ took off from Wānaka Aerodrome with a pilot and two Department of Conservation workers on board. The helicopter had just departed from the perimeter of the aerodrome when it started to break up in flight, began spinning while descending near vertically and caught fire after it struck the ground.

A Cessna light aeroplane and a Tecnam microlight collided on final approach parallel runways at Masterton. Tecnam had right of way but Cessna pilot did not see Tecnam. Both pilots died. Pilots should always keep a lookout for other aircraft, listen out for radio calls, obey Civil Aviation Rules, and follow standard operating procedures. CAA and WorkSafe should work with aerodrome owners and operators to ensure that operators and managers of aerodromes receive appropriate training and support.

Two Dash-8 passenger aircraft avoided collision on approach to Wellington Airport (saved by human and last-defence automated systems) after one Dash-8 followed the wrong lead aircraft. Nobody hurt, no damage. All safety issues addressed, so no new recommendations

A glider crashed near the summit of Mount Tauhara, Taupō, killing the two people on board – an instructor & student. Safety issues relate to pilot competency associated with ridge soaring and instructor training at Taupō. TAIC has recommended that Taupo Gliding Club and Gliding NZ upgrade their systems to improve safety.

Medical incapacity as likely as not cause of fatal accident near Masterton in April 2020. On take-off, an agricultural aircraft ran off a farm airstrip. It struck rough ground, undercarriage broke, damaged a wing, plunged over a steep drop off, was wrecked on impact with floor of valley beyond and caught fire. The sole pilot occupant did not survive. No new safety issues, no new recommendations.

This report examines 6 track heat buckle incidents that occurred in different localities throughout New Zealand in the summer of 2000/2001, 5 of which resulted in derailments. Safety issues identified by these incidents included: • the need for training of track staff to ensure they recognise and respond to visible track defects • the possible need to protect continuous welded rail, formed at an unknown neutral temperature, during hot weather • the need to control tamping and lining to ensure track is not realigned leaving increased compressive stress in the rails