Inquiries & Recommendations

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On Monday 8 January 1996 Train 701, the southbound "Coastal Pacific" passenger service, overran Waipara without a valid track warrant and continued approximately 24 kms into the next section before the error was realised. There was no opposing traffic or obstruction and once the overrun was discovered a valid warrant was issued and Train 701 continued its journey. The causal factor was the Locomotive Engineer's failure to recognise the limits of his authority to proceed.

On Wednesday, 25 August 1998 a number of 3.7 m long logs fell from the last wagon of a rake of loaded log wagons in Mount Maunganui railway yard. The loss of load occurred because the logs were not adequately restrained by the cradle supports at either end. A safety issue identified was the adequacy of the code covering the securing of 3.7 m logs on standard log wagons. The Commission investigated this incident because of the potential for displaced logs to endanger other trains and third parties adjacent to the track.

[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 Friday 14 January 2011, a train that was supposed to be stopped at Papakura was signalled to enter a section of track that another train had been authorised to enter from the opposite direction. A potential head-on collision was recognised by the person-in-charge of a nearby worksite and the situation was resolved before the second train entered the section.

[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.]

Aircraft was 1 of 4 assembled to drop parachutists who were attempting to establish an Australasian record parachute stack. Pilot commenced take-off run and deliberately held the tail down to improve the aircraft's rudder control. After traveling 100 yards the aircraft veered off the runway. Shortly after becoming airborne it crossed a post and wire fence and clipped some toi toi grass on the far side of the fence. Aircraft damaged and occupants injured in attempted forced landing.

On Monday 31 October 2005, at about 0827, a set of bi-parting doors on Train 3056, a Connex Papakura to Britomart diesel multiple unit passenger service, closed on a passenger boarding at Papatoetoe. The passenger became trapped, but was freed when the doors were prised open by a locomotive maintainer who was travelling on the train. The passenger suffered minor leg injuries. Safety issues identified included: • the door control and operating mechanisms • the use of a defective safety critical component • the fault recording processes.

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.

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

The burnt-out wreckage of ZK-CZQ was discovered by firefighters extinguishing a large scrub fire. The pilot and passenger had sustained fatal injuries. There were no witnesses to the accident but the available evidence suggested that, during a turn at low level in the course of an attempted precautionary landing, the left wingtip struck the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled on to its nose. No conclusive reason for a precautionary landing could be established. The possibility of an in-flight fire could not be discounted.