Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On Wednesday, 6 November 1996, at approximately 0648 hours Train 6210, a northbound suburban Electric Multiple Unit service, was stopped by a red signal aspect on the double-track section south of McKays. The Train Control Officer had almost completed the process of issuing a Mis. 59 authority to allow the train to pass the Departure signal at "Stop" and enter the single line section ahead when the locomotive engineer of Train 6210 saw Train 203, the southbound Northerner passenger express, approaching him on the single line section he was about to receive authority to enter.

[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 0900 hours on Friday, 25 October 1996, a gangway fell from a Steam Incorporated passenger excursion train being operated by Tranz Rail Limited between Paekakariki and Wairoa. The gangway fell clear of the track near Opapa. The carriage doors on either side were locked as a safety measure and the train continued its journey.

On Tuesday, 1 October 1996, at approximately 1930 hours, the longline fishing vessel "Amigo", while anchored off the Waitaha River mouth, approximately 17 miles south-west of Hokitika, was overcome by seas and foundered. Searchers located wreckage from the "Amigo" on the beach the following morning. The body of one deck-hand was recovered some days later. The Master and another deck-hand were presumed drowned. The cause of the accident could not be identified conclusively.

On Friday, 6 September 1996, at about 0200 hours, P35 Shunt operated by Tranz Rail Limited was shunting in Palmerston North Yard. During a propelling movement to place wagons the shunter fell under the wagons and was killed instantly. Safety issues addressed in the report are the frequency of shunting fatalities, and the effectiveness of compliance monitoring of recently certified and relatively inexperienced staff.

At about 1040 hours, on Saturday 24 August 1996, at the conclusion of a local flight, Jodel D11 ZK-EJP made an approach and go-around over the farm airstrip where it was based. The aircraft subsequently flew downward at a lower height than usual and was seen to bank steeply to the left in an apparent attempt to land on the airstrip or in adjacent paddocks. It levelled momentarily then rolled to the right, descended rapidly, and struck the hillside. The pilot sustained fatal injuries on impact.

On Tuesday, 20 August 1996, at approximately 1730 hours, the longline fishing vessel "Warlock" was overcome by seas near the entrance to Tauranga Harbour and subsequently washed up onto Mount Maunganui Beach. The two crew members on board lost their lives and the vessel was extensively damaged in the accident. The cause of the accident was not identified conclusively.

At about 1522 hours on Friday 23 August 1996 ZK-EGQ, a Fletcher FU24-950, was on a routine sowing run, 16 km south-west of Motueka, when its left wing struck a lone pine tree damaging the left aileron. Control difficulties resulted and the aircraft collided with the face of a steep ridge. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot lost his life in the accident. No new safety deficiencies were revealed.

[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 16 August 1996 at 1250 hours, shortly after Fairchild SA 227-AC, ZK-OAA touched down at Gisborne Aerodrome, it swerved to the right. The pilot was able to regain control but when he engaged reverse thrust, the aircraft swung to the right a second time and the pilot was unable to prevent the aircraft veering off the runway onto the adjacent grass area. The aircraft sustained minor damage and there were no injuries to the two pilots or the 14 passengers. The causal factors were not identified.

[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.]