Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On Sunday 12 November 1995 at about 1240 hours Train 600, the Northbound "Bay Express" express passenger service between Wellington and Napier, derailed at Pukehou between Waipukurau and Hastings on the Palmerston North Gisborne Line. The train was travelling at approximately 90 km/h when the locomotive, power/baggage van and an empty passenger carriage left the tracks on a right hand curve. The two rear carriages carrying passengers remained on the rails.

On Wednesday 1 November 1995, Fletcher FU24 ZK-EUG collided with the terrain during topdressing operations on Rongoio Station, 18 nm north of Wairoa. An intense fire ensued and the pilot lost his life in the accident. In-flight incapacitation of the pilot was identified as the probable cause. [As a result of the investigation of this and a previous similar accident (see Report 95-010) ] a safety recommendation pertaining to medical advice was made to the Aviation Industry Association.

On Wednesday 25 October 1995 at 0915 hours ZK-HKM, a Robinson R22 helicopter, broke up in flight and fell to the ground hitting State Highway 35 to the north-east of Opotiki. The pilot and a shooter died in the accident. The cause of the accident was the failure of a tail rotor blade on which an unauthorised repair had been carried out. The safety issues identified include the need to positively establish the history of critical components fitted to certificated aircraft, or to have the components supplied through approved distributors.

[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 1600 hours on Saturday 21 October 1995, ZK-DRC took off from Big Bay for Alexandra. The pilot owned the aircraft and had flown it from Alexandra to Big Bay earlier in the afternoon to pick up his son and a friend who had spent the previous week whitebaiting. The aircraft did not arrive at Alexandra. A searching helicopter located the wreckage of ZK-DRC the next morning, near the Fohn Saddle at an elevation of about 4760 feet amsl. The aircraft had stalled onto a snow terrace. The three occupants had been killed. No conclusive explanation for the accident was established.

On Thursday 19 October 1995 at 0940 hours, Cameron A-210 balloon ZK-FAR, on a passenger scenic flight, was overtaken by a squall line, lifted and blown out to sea near North New Brighton, Christchurch. Three passengers were drowned. The rapid approach of the squall line and the pilot's non-observance of it because of preoccupation were factors in the accident. Safety issues addressed were the carriage of lifejackets, and procedures for approval of check pilots.

At approximately 1420 hours on Sunday 24 September 1995, ZK-FPM was mid-downwind for a landing at the Chateau Airstrip near Mt Ruapehu when the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot changed the fuel tank selection and power was restored but on final approach the engine lost power again. Two of the five occupants received back injuries in the ensuing forced landing on undulating ground short of the airstrip. The cause of the initial power loss was not determined.

On Thursday, 14 September 1995 at about 2252 hours a collision occurred between two motor vessels off the Port of Tauranga. A harbour pilot and one trainee pilot had just disembarked the outbound "MV Washington" and were proceeding out to board the inbound "MV Han Tao He" when the two vessels collided. Damage to the "Han Tao He" was substantial. Causal factors included non-compliance with the International Collision Regulations and the standard of bridge resource management.

On Friday 8 September 1995, at approximately 1640 hours, as a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft ZK-SFA was approaching to land at Picton Aerodrome the pilot saw the nose light of one of a loose formation of four RNZAF Macchi MC 39 aircraft approaching from the opposite direction at a similar height to that of his aircraft. He took evasive action and the nearest Macchi passed approximately 300 metres from the Caravan.

[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.]

[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.]