Inquiries & Recommendations

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A freight train collided with a hi-Rail vehicle on the main south-line between Milton and Henley in South Otago. The occupant of the Hi-Rail vehicle exited prior to impact and was not injured. The hi-Rail was substantially damaged.

Medical incapacity as likely as not cause of fatal accident near Masterton in April 2020. On take-off, an agricultural aircraft ran off a farm airstrip. It struck rough ground, undercarriage broke, damaged a wing, plunged over a steep drop off, was wrecked on impact with floor of valley beyond and caught fire. The sole pilot occupant did not survive. No new safety issues, no new recommendations.

A passenger train collided with a truck, fatally injuring the truck driver. Truck had stopped but phone call distracted truck driver, who reduced pressure on brake and truck moved onto track. TAIC calls for formal determinations whether to implement level crossing safety recommendations; and a formal approach to prioritise upgrades for highest risk level crossings.

Bulk carrier & commercial fishing boat collided in good visibility night conditions. No substantial damage, no serious injuries or fatalities. Those operating each vessel, aware of the other, acted too late. Neither made best use of radar. Bulk carrier bridge team distracted by passengers. Fishing boat watchkeeper should have known more about collision-prevention rules.

New Zealand has completed its support for this inquiry. Please note: TAIC will not be producing a report for this inquiry.

Two people died when freight train ran into car at level crossing, cause by confusion for the car driver in complicated roadworks operation. Traffic management plans for roadworks at level crossings must identify all risks to road and rail vehicles. Work in the rail corridor must only be done with a permit from the rail access provider.

A passenger train leaving Wellington station ran a red light because a radio call distracted its driver. The red signal protected an inbound passenger train. Both trains stopped just in time. TAIC reminds KiwiRail of 2017 TAIC recommendation to urgently minimise risks for trains in Wellington rail yards. In the meantime, Train drivers must be more cautious, concentrate.

New Zealand has completed its support for this inquiry. Please note: TAIC will not be producing a report for this inquiry.

On 30 September 2019, a 47-minute outage disrupted Airways New Zealand’s air traffic services. Christchurch controllers lost radar data and primary communications, operating in a degraded display mode and using backup systems. Auckland controllers experienced a shorter loss before switching to local bypass surveillance. Despite the disruption, all 41 domestic flights in controlled airspace landed safely with no loss of separation.

Worse-than-expected sea conditions caused capsize of a perceived very safe ‘pontoon’ design water taxi. Skipper rescued all six passengers trapped inside, all survived. Lessons for passenger boat sector: know vessel stability as well as buoyancy; prioritise safety over commercial expectations; manage risks; ensure the right safety equipment is available; actively lead safety on-board.

A train was wrong routed onto a line not adjacent to a station platform. Two passengers got off and walked across the Main Line. Train control didn’t know, and rail traffic wasn’t blocked from passing through. Nobody hurt. KiwiRail fixing wrong routing of passenger trains at Rolleston, instructing crews on disembarking passengers when platform unavailable. Safety-critical personnel must communicate about who is doing what, when, to complete tasks safely.

A loaded freight train derailed when departing Wellington Freight Terminal, dragged derailed wagon through 6 sets of points. Automated systems eventually halted train 256 metres along the track. No injuries, but substantial damage to rail infrastructure led days of passenger service disruption. Very likely contributing factors: track alignment, track faults and track twist; and rough wheel flange.