Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Wednesday 9 February 2005 at about 1500, a descending barrier arm at Norton Road level crossing, Hamilton, struck a school bus conveying 16 passengers when the level crossing warning devices activated for the passage of express freight Train 312. The school bus could not clear the level crossing because of traffic banked up in front of and behind it. Train 312 was stationary at the time and the locomotive engineer became aware of the school bus before he moved his train. There were no injuries.

On Monday 14 February 2005, at about 0831, Train 3037, a Connex Auckland Limited Britomart to Papakura via Newmarket diesel multiple unit passenger train was wrong routed past Signal 30RAC at Westfield to an industrial siding, instead of the Down main. While attempting to regain the correct path, the locomotive engineer multiple unit passed Signal 36LD at stop and travelled ‘wrong line ’ on the Down main where he stopped adjacent to a signal that applied to the opposite main. There were no conflicting movements approaching Train 3037 in either situation.

[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.

[Investigation incorporated in report 04-132. Please refer to that report.]

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.

[Investigation incorporated in report 05-102. Please refer to that report.]

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.