Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

This report examines 3 separate track buckle occurrences on the South Island coal route during the summer of 2001/2002. Two of the track buckles resulted in derailments. Safety issues identified by these incidents included: • the need for staff training to ensure they recognise and respond to visible track defects • the need to protect continuous welded rail, formed at unknown neutral temperature • the need to control tamping and lining to ensure track is not realigned leaving increased compressive stress in the rails.

On Friday, 25 January 2002, at about 1430, Piper PA34-200T Seneca ZK-SFC was on approach to land at Gisborne Aerodrome when the nose undercarriage failed to extend. After several unsuccessful attempts to extend the nose undercarriage, the pilot diverted to Hastings Aerodrome where a full wheels-up landing was completed. The 2 crew members and one passenger on board were uninjured and the aircraft sustained minor damage.

On Saturday, 19 January 2002, at 0931, ZK-SEV, a Cessna 207, took off from Te Anau Aerodrome for Milford Sound Aerodrome. At about 1000 the aircraft collided with the side of a mountainous valley, approximately 4400 feet above sea level and 500 metres southeast of Gertrude Saddle, some 11 kilometres from Milford Sound. The pilot and 5 passengers on board died in the collision. The aircraft probably had not reached a suitable altitude to safely cross over Gertrude Saddle, and the pilot probably left his decision too late to turn back in the valley in order to gain more height.

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

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

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

This report examines 3 separate track buckle occurrences on the South Island coal route during the summer of 2001/2002. Two of the track buckles resulted in derailments. Safety issues identified by these incidents included: • the need for staff training to ensure they recognise and respond to visible track defects • the need to protect continuous welded rail, formed at unknown neutral temperature • the need to control tamping and lining to ensure track is not realigned leaving increased compressive stress in the rails.

On Monday 3 December 2001 at about 1430, Robinson R44 helicopter ZK-HTK was on a commercial transport flight from a remote campsite in the Urewera National Park to Ruatahuna, carrying two hunters whose recovery had been delayed by bad weather. While flying over the highest terrain en route, where the weather was probably worst, the helicopter collided with trees, fell to the ground and burned. One survivor was rescued 2 days later. The pilot's low experience probably contributed to his perseverance with the flight in conditions of low cloud and poor visibility.

On Thursday 29 November 2001, at about 0930, Cessna A185E Skywagon ZK-JGI took off from Motueka Aerodrome on a local parachuting flight. Shortly after take-off, at about 100 feet, ZK-JGI had a sudden and total power loss. Unable to re-establish power, the pilot guided the aircraft to a nearby kiwifruit orchard. After clipping trees the aircraft struck the ground heavily, resulting in the pilot and 4 parachutists receiving serious injuries and 1 parachutist sustaining minor injuries. The power loss was due to the pilot inadvertently selecting the fuel Off before the flight.

On Friday 16 November 2001, at about 0445, the yacht "Toolka-T" fouled the towline between the tug "Wainui" and barge "Sea-Tow 11" and was carried along the towline until it collided with the bow of the barge. The "Toolka-T" passed under the barge and sank as a result of the collision. The collision occurred off Takatu Point while the "Toolka-T" was southbound towards Gulf Harbour and the "Wainui" was northbound from Auckland to a sand excavation site north of Cape Rodney.

On Wednesday 31 October 2001, at about 0800, Air National Chieftain ZK-RDT, operating as Origin 457, was on a scheduled passenger flight from New Plymouth to Auckland when the cabin door opened in flight. Passengers held the door in a slightly ajar position for about 10 minutes while the aeroplane was landed at Auckland. The incident resulted from wear and distortion of door latch components, which had not been detected and rectified.

[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.]