Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Wednesday 23 February 2005, at about 0855, Train 3334, a Papakura to Britomart diesel multiple unit passenger train, suffered a traction engine fire while it was stopped at Signal 125, Auckland. The passengers were safely evacuated while the locomotive engineer multiple unit extinguished the fire using dry-powder fire extinguishers that were carried on board the train. There were no injuries. The safety issues identified were: • the cleanliness of the engine surround • monitoring engine compression and crankcase pressures

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

On Sunday 20 February 2005 at about 1300, the Driving Creek Train Linx derailed at Peg 1660. The rear bogie of the last passenger set derailed and was dragged about 15 m before one of the derailment bars hit a rail joint fishplate, causing the rear bogie to jump further to the left-hand side of the track. One passenger received moderate injuries. In the afternoon of Sunday 27 February 2005, the rear bogie of the last passenger set of the Train Linx derailed to the inside of a tight right-hand curve at Peg 1270 on the Driving Creek Railway. There were no injuries.

[Investigation incorporated in report 05-202. Please refer to that report.]

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.