Inquiries & Recommendations

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On 29 May 2007, a Saab SF340A aircraft that was holding on an angled taxiway at Auckland International Airport was inadvertently cleared to line up in front of a landing Raytheon 1900D. The aerodrome controller transmitted an amended clearance, but the transmission crossed with that of the Saab crew reading back the line-up clearance. The pilots of both aircraft took action to avoid a collision and stopped on the runway without any damage or injury.

On the morning of 30 May 1994 a Fairchild Metroliner, ZK-NSW, while cruising at 17,000 feet suffered a rapid depressurisation following the failure of the First Officer's cockpit side acrylic window. ZK-NSW subsequently diverted to Palmerston North Aerodrome and landed safely. The safety issues discussed are the adequacy of the inspection procedures for the detection of cracks in the acrylic window panels.

Between June 2006 and April 2007 the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (the Commission) launched inquiries into 5 separate platform overrun events on the Auckland suburban rail network. Because there appeared to be a number of common factors contributing to the overruns, they have been combined into this one report.

A trainee rail protection officer authorised workers to start work on the main south line in Hornby before a scheduled train had passed through. The workers realized a train was approaching when level crossing bells started ringing and were able to get off the track in time. TAIC identified failings in supervision and in training RPOs to supervise trainees. Further, available engineering controls (which physically reduce hazards) were not being used.

The Commission is assisting the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s investigation.

On Wednesday 24 March 2004, at about 0149, USQ 7663, the 27th wagon on southbound express freight Train 237, derailed while negotiating a left-hand curve between Puketutu and Kopaki on the North Island Main Trunk. The wagon ran derailed for about 750 m until it struck the spreader bar on the north-end facing points at Kopaki, derailing the following 4 wagons and parting the train between the 29th and 30th wagons. The condition of the trailing bogie of wagon USQ 7663 was a significant contributing factor to the derailment. Safety issues included:

On Thursday 13 November 1997, at about 2130, the tug "York Syme" with six persons on board and with a loaded barge "H7" in tow, grounded on a reef north-east of Maria Island in the Hauraki Gulf. "H7" passed partly through the reef and grounded. The trailing towline fouled the propeller of "York Syme" while its engine was going astern. There were no injuries. Safety issues identified were poor watchkeeping practices, failure to keep a proper lookout and working routines leading to fatigue.

On the afternoon of 8 January 2011, the passenger vessel Volendam was alongside in Lyttelton. Some of the crew were carrying out routine maintenance on one of the starboard lifeboats when at about 1400 the forward lifeboat fall wire parted and 2 crew members fell into the water; the lifeboat remained suspended by the aft lifeboat fall wire.

[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.]

At about 1055 on Monday 8 January 2001, a collision occurred at Makikihi Beach Road level crossing between passenger express Train 901 Southerner and a loaded stock truck and trailer unit. The truck had cleared the level crossing but the trailer was only halfway across when the train collided with it and derailed. Two of the train crew and 3 passengers were seriously injured and 24 passengers suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision. A factor contributing to the collision was the failure of the truck driver to give way to Train 901.

On 9 March 2013 a Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) R66 helicopter crashed in the North Island's Kaweka Range after experiencing an occurrence known as a 'mast bump'. A main rotor blade then struck the fuselage, causing the helicopter to break up in flight. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed.