Inquiries & Recommendations

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[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.]

[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.]

[Investigated on behalf of the Government of the Cook Islands. Direct any inquiries for copy of the report to the Minister of Transport of that State]

On 4 September 2010 the pilot of a Walter Fletcher aeroplane (the aeroplane) with eight parachutists on board lost control during take-off from Fox Glacier aerodrome. The aeroplane, registered ZK-EUF, crashed in a paddock adjacent to the runway, killing all nine occupants.

On Saturday 5 July 2003 at about 2100, the passenger freight ferry "Aratere" collided bow first with the starboard side of a fishing vessel moored at Aotea Quay in Wellington Harbour. The fishing vessel, "San Domenico", and the quay suffered extensive damage. The safety issues identified included: · the undertaking of safety critical tasks while suffering from the effects of chronic sleep loss · the adequacy of provision of medical data concerning sleep disorders in the Maritime Rules

At about 1123 hours on Sunday 19 April 1998 ZK-HKU, an Aerospatiale AS350D helicopter fitted with an AlliedSignal LTS101 engine, experienced a total loss of engine power while on approach to land at the Skyline Skyrides heliport at Rotorua. The pilot made an autorotational landing onto uneven terrain. No injuries to the helicopter occupants resulted.

On Wednesday 25 October 2000 at 1936, the Christchurch main trunk air traffic services centre communications system experienced an unanticipated complete power loss during non routine maintenance. The power loss caused a loss of normal radio and telephone communications to the centre for several minutes. Each terminal controller and the controllers for 2 of the 5 area sectors had independent battery powered radios available. Independent telephone links and all radar information to the centre remained operational.

This report examines 3 derailments due to washouts and slips (occurrences 02-101, 02-102 and 02-103) caused by inclement weather in the South Island during January 2002. No serious injuries were sustained but the opportunity existed in each case for more serious and potentially life threatening injuries to have occurred. Safety issues identified by these incidents included: • the lack of a formalised early warning river flow level notification process for the Rangitata River • the lack of staff available to respond to operating contingencies during the holiday period

The Commission was New Zealand's Accredited Representative to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's investigation into the above occurrence. Their report was published as Aviation Occurrence Investigation AO-2007-023. Using the link in the sidebar to the right.

A utility travelling west on Victoria Street, Waipawa on Wednesday 27 March 1996 moved onto the level crossing ahead of an approaching train. The level crossing alarms, consisting of flashing lights and bells, were operating. A collision resulted in which injuries sustained by the driver and front seat passenger subsequently proved fatal. The causal factor was the utility driver's apparent failure to see and respond to the warning devices. Safety issues identified were the effectiveness of the warning system in particular sunlight conditions and the available view at the crossing.

On the evening of Thursday 23 July 2009, the Wellington region was experiencing a storm that brought heavy rain and strong winds. At 1817, a scheduled commuter train travelling from Wellington to Masterton with approximately 240 passengers and crew in 5 carriages, collided with a slip that partially blocked the northern portal of Tunnel 1 on the Wairarapa Line. This point was about 4 km north of Upper Hutt station and about 1 km before the Maymorn station.