Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On Wednesday 21 March 2007, passenger express Train 200 collided with the rear of stationary passenger express Train 201 during a planned setback manoeuvre at National Park when radio communication failed. One passenger travelling in the rear passenger carriage on Train 200 received a minor injury. The buffer at the rear of the train was damaged.

On Saturday 18 December 2004, at about 1510 the restricted limit passenger vessel "Tiger III," while on a cruise to the Hole in the Rock with 59 passengers and 3 crew on board, grounded in the small bay under the Cape Brett lighthouse. The boat was pushed into a narrow gut and came to rest alongside the rocks on the shore. All the passengers were able to get ashore and congregated at the old lighthouse keeper’s cottage, from where they were flown by a fleet of helicopters back to Paihia. No major injuries were sustained.

[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 2 May 2008, the Bluebridge passenger and freight ferry Monte Stello was transiting Tory Channel in Marlborough Sounds en route from Picton to Wellington when it suffered an electrical power failure, resulting in a loss of both propulsion engines. The emergency power system started automatically and supplied power to critical systems. The ship was brought up to its starboard anchor about 250 m from the shore line.

On 26 January 1994, ZK-EQS, a PA28 aircraft on a local scenic flight from Franz Josef, suffered a sudden loss of engine power shortly after take-off. The aircraft was substantially damaged in the ensuing forced landing, but none of the four occupants was injured. The cause of the engine failure could not be determined conclusively.

On Friday, 31 May 1996, at about 2034 hours Train 404, the Rotorua - Auckland Geyserland Express, derailed at slow speed while crossing from the East Passenger Loop to the West Loop at Hamilton. There were no injuries. The cause of the derailment was an axle failure on the trailing axle of the railcar. Safety issues identified were the need to improve the inspection and testing regime for Silver Fern axles.

Freight train derailed - floodwater washed out track ballast after heavy rain. TAIC identifies safety issues with: foul weather responsiveness nationwide; staff training to deal with foul weather; and knowledge of risks and hazards associated with waterways next to its railways. Three recommendations to KiwiRail.

Glide approach normal until approx 150 feet on final where a higher sink rate was encountered. It became apparent that power would be required to clear the aerodrome boundary fence and the competitor was instructed by the pilot in command (acting as judge in the right hand seat) to apply power. Throttle application had no effect initially and the aircraft struck the boundary fence before the engine responded. The pilot in command took control and landing normally.

The ski-plane made a normal touchdown on the established snow landing area but as the speed reduced the aircraft slowed to the right due to icy surface conditions and a quartering tailwind. It skidded to the left and the left ski dug in to the frozen surface causing minor damage to the left wingtip when it struck the ice.

On Monday, 16 July 2001, at about 0825 the passenger doors on the left side of Train 8203 electric multiple unit passenger service, opened uncommanded as the train travelled through Tunnel No 2 between Takapu Road and Wellington on the North Island Main Trunk. The locomotive engineer immediately stopped the train in the tunnel. The doors opened due to an electrical short circuit that was caused by heat from an overworked resistor bank melting the insulation on the door control wires. The crew manually closed the doors and the train continued to Wellington.

On 22 October 2011 a Britten-Norman BN.2A Mk.III-2 "Trislander" (the aeroplane) was scheduled for a scenic charter flight from Pauanui Beach aerodrome. The aeroplane was operated by Great Barrier Airlines Limited (the airline, or the operator). On board were 13 people - the pilot, another company employee and 11 passengers.

[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.]