Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

Addendum to 96-009: The pilot-in-command of ZK-FMO submitted further information relating to this accident for consideration by the Commission. This information related to the effect of a misaligned contact breaker assembly arm in the dual magneto of the aircraft engine, the timing of amendments to the company operations manual, the interpretation of an instruction on the company's aircraft load sheet, the flap setting which he used for the take-off and the distribution of the load in the aircraft.

On Friday 16 February 1996, at approximately 0900 hours, as Piper PA28 aircraft ZK-CEQ was waiting on the tarmac at Ardmore Aerodrome for its turn at the refuelling pump, the spotter left his seat, stepped over the right wing leading edge into the rotating propeller and lost his life.

On Monday 12 February 1996 at about 2240 hours, Hughes 369D helicopter ZK-HLE, on a night rescue flight, collided with trees and the ground, and caught fire. The two crew were killed. Reduced visibility in poor weather was probably a factor in the collision. The details of the flight leading to the collision were not established.

At 1627 hours on Monday 29 January 1996, ZK-SFA a Cessna 208 Caravan, collided with heavily wooded terrain on the eastern slopes of Mount Robertson, 10 nm north-east of Blenheim. The aircraft had departed from Wellington on a scheduled flight to Picton Aerodrome (Koromiko). The five passengers lost their lives in the accident, but the pilot survived. Causal factors identified were: descent under a cloud layer; misidentification of terrain features; loss of "positional awareness"; insufficient forward visibility; the high speed of the aircraft; and the pilot's decision making.

[Addendum to report 96-201] On Sunday, 28 January 1996, at approximately 0550 hours, the fishing trawler "San Manukau", en route from Auckland to North Cape, capsized 15 nautical miles north-north-west of Cape Karikari. One deck-hand was lost, presumed drowned. The vessel was towed into Doubtless Bay where it later sank during attempts to right it. The capsize was caused by the loss of stability due to back-flooding of the fish hold via the vessel's bilge pumping system.

On Sunday, 28 January 1996, at approximately 0550 hours, the fishing trawler "San Manukau", enroute from Auckland to North Cape, capsized 15 nautical miles north-north-west of Cape Karikari. One deck-hand was lost, presumed drowned. The vessel was towed into Doubtless Bay where it later sank during attempts to right it. The capsize was caused by the loss of stability due to back-flooding of the fish hold via the vessel's bilge pumping system.

On Saturday 20 January 1996 at about 0730 hours, Robinson R22 Beta helicopter ZK-HVX collided with trees and terrain during a private venison hunting flight. The shooter was killed, and the pilot was seriously injured. No safety recommendations were made. A safety issue was identified relating to the suitability of this type of helicopter for this operation. Factors in this accident were mishandling of the helicopter, or misjudgement by the pilot while manoeuvring close to the top of the trees.

On Friday 12 January and Thursday 18 January 1996, Metroliners ZK-POB and ZK-SDA respectively were involved in runway excursions after the pilot flying engaged the nosewheel steering during their landing runs. No injuries were sustained in either event and the damage to the aircraft was minor. The causal factors identified were a malfunction of the nosewheel steering system and the pilots' perseverance with the use of an aircraft system which was unserviceable.

At approximately 1010 hours on Wednesday 17 January 1996, Cessna 337 N10R became airborne briefly in an attempted take-off from a farm paddock near Whakatane Aerodrome. The aeroplane failed to remain airborne, landed heavily and sustained substantial damage. Causal factors were insufficient take-off space and inappropriate pilot technique.

On Friday 12 January and Thursday 18 January 1996, Metroliners ZK-POB and ZK-SDA respectively were involved in runway excursions after the pilot flying engaged the nosewheel steering during their landing runs. No injuries were sustained in either event and the damage to the aircraft was minor.

On Monday 8 January 1996 Train 701, the southbound "Coastal Pacific" passenger service, overran Waipara without a valid track warrant and continued approximately 24 kms into the next section before the error was realised. There was no opposing traffic or obstruction and once the overrun was discovered a valid warrant was issued and Train 701 continued its journey. The causal factor was the Locomotive Engineer's failure to recognise the limits of his authority to proceed.

At about 1200 hours on Tuesday 2 January 1996 the pilot commenced a take-off on vector 29 at Wanaka Aerodrome, in Mark 14 Spitfire ZK-XIV. During the take-off the aircraft swung to the right, diverged from the grass vector, and became airborne but the tail caught the aerodrome boundary fence. The aircraft rolled to the right and struck the ground inverted. The pilot was seriously injured in the accident.