Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On 30 March 1994 an incident in which the Locomotive Engineer of Lyttelton to Westport freight train 847, failed to stop his train at the limit of the Track Warrant and overran it by 23 km. The safety issues disclosed by the investigation related to the issue and observance of Track Warrants.

After boarding ZK-HVO for a scenic flight at Rotorua on 17 March 1994, one of the passengers stood up in the doorway and raised his hand to wave to other members of his tour group. His hand was struck by the helicopter's main rotor. No specific safety issues were addressed.

A Hughes 369D helicopter collided with two 11,000 volt electric power conductors on 14 March 1994 at Mohaka near Wairoa. The safety issues identified were the need for detailed preparation before engaging in low level air transport operations, the permissive operation of low level air transport operations and the marking of long spans of wires above wide valleys.

On 13 March 1994, a tubular glass sight gauge in the cab of a restored steam locomotive broke, discharging steam and oily water from a lubricator. The fireman fell from the cab and received severe injuries. The locomotive was operated by the Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society at Pleasant Point. The safety issue identified in this investigation was the need to replace sight glass tubes on old steam locomotives with modern borosilicat glass, and placing a screen in front of the tubes to deflect any discharge away from persons in the cab.

On 8 March 1994, ZK-PKC, a Piper Navajo Chieftain was landed wheels-up at Christchurch after a cable failure rendered the undercarriage lowering system inoperative.

On 5 March 1994, a car travelling west on George Holmes Road, Rolleston moved on to the level crossing while a train was approaching. The level crossing alarms, consisting of flashing lights and bells, were operating. The sole occupant of the car was killed in the collision.

On 5 March 1994, as Train 257 approached Papakura Station the train crew noticed an individual sitting on the edge of the platform. The person did not respond to the train's warning horn and received serious injury from which he died later the same day.

On the evening of 3 March 1994 a Ganger was called out to a track fault near Waipahi. He estimated that the fault could be repaired just before the expected passage of a freight train. A three way radio conversation was held among the Ganger, the Locomotive Engineer, and the Train Control Officer, but the Ganger's rail mounted vehicle was shortly afterwards damaged when struck by the train. The safety issue identified was the protection procedures for track workers.

On 9 February 1994, NZRL Train 849, a westbound unlaiden coal train on the Midland Line, encountered a digger obstructing the line on the Avoca Bank, between Staircase and Craigieburn. The crew sighted the digger in time to stop the train safely. The safety issue identified in this investigation is the adequacy of protection rules applicable to track workers.

On 9 February 1994 a suburban shunting train, L8, operated by New Zealand Rail Limited struck and killed a pedestrian who attempted to cross the tracks at the Totara Avenue level crossing at New Lynn while the train was approaching. The crossing alarms were working and visibility was good. No specific safety issues were identified in this investigation.

On 27 February 1994, ZK-HTU, a Hughes 269B helicopter collided with a ridge at an elevation of 4500 feet in the Tararua Range. One passenger was killed, and the pilot and another passenger received serious injuries.

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.