Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On 22 April 2019, a BK117-C1 helicopter (ZK-IMX) on a medical evacuation positioning flight to the Auckland Islands arrived after dark and continued under visual flight rules using night vision goggles. While attempting to descend below cloud near Enderby Island, the helicopter impacted the sea. The three crew escaped, swam to shore, and were rescued the next day with minor injuries. The helicopter was recovered three weeks later.

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.

On the evening of Friday 27 January 2023, Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKN was returning to land at Auckland, having flown from Auckland to Melbourne earlier that day. As the aeroplane neared the runway it began to drift right of the runway centreline. Soon after touchdown it veered off the runway onto a sealed shoulder.

In the early evening of 2 April 2024, the crew of an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 reported seeing what they described as a drone while at 2000 feet on the final approach for runway 23L at Auckland. As a result of the drone sighting, and for the safety of other aircraft, Air Traffic Control closed that portion of the Auckland airspace for 15 minutes, resulting in delays to other inbound aircraft.

On 27 April 2022, the Minister of Transport directed the Transport Accident Investigation Commission to investigate two fatal stevedoring accidents under section 13(2) of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990. Although the accidents occurred separately, the Commission identified common systemic safety issues and has therefore presented both inquiries in a single report, noting their relevance to the wider stevedoring industry. The first accident occurred on 19 April 2022 at the Port of Auckland, where a stevedore employed by Wallace Investments Limited was fatally crushed after moving beneath a suspended container onboard the Capitaine Tasman. The second occurred on 25 April 2022 at Lyttelton Port, where a stevedore employed by Lyttelton Port Company Limited was found deceased on the ETG Aquarius, buried under coal during loading operations.

On 27 April 2022, the Minister of Transport directed the Transport Accident Investigation Commission to investigate two fatal stevedoring accidents under section 13(2) of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990. Although the accidents occurred separately, the Commission identified common systemic safety issues and has therefore presented both inquiries in a single report, noting their relevance to the wider stevedoring industry. The first accident occurred on 19 April 2022 at the Port of Auckland, where a stevedore employed by Wallace Investments Limited was fatally crushed after moving beneath a suspended container onboard the Capitaine Tasman. The second occurred on 25 April 2022 at Lyttelton Port, where a stevedore employed by Lyttelton Port Company Limited was found deceased on the ETG Aquarius, buried under coal during loading operations.

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.

The Japanese fishing vessel Chokyu Maru No.68, with 27 crew aboard, grounded on rocks near The Noises island group while inbound to the Auckland pilot boarding area.

Two aircraft came within 20 feet of each other on final approach at night at Ardmore Airport. TAIC report highlights safety lessons for pilots, aircraft owners, engineers, and aerodrome operators at busy unattended aerodromes. It shows how communication, visibility, and access to shared procedures can make all the difference and makes recommendations to improve night flying safety across New Zealand.

An Air New Zealand Q300 and a Beech 76 Duchess ZK-JED were on reciprocal tracks when a close proximity event occurred, requiring avoiding action.

Fire in engine room on factory trawler (quickly extinguished). Diesel oil sprayed onto hot engine exhaust, under pressure when an accumulator in the fuel system unwound from its pipe connector and dislodged. Lessons and recommendations for Marine sector relate to maintenance of safety-critical and remote-operated systems; Command and control for fire response; and design of gaseous fire-extinguishing systems.

Molten material from the hot work caused fire, burned 7 days, extensive damage to high-value fibre-glass cargo, no fatalities, no serious injuries. TAIC calls on Fire and Emergency NZ to improve training in fighting fires on ships. Crucial tactics (close cargo hold cover, release CO2 into hold) weren’t done. Valuable time lost because people lacked a good understanding of each other’s roles and objectives. One new recommendation to Pacific International Lines to address safety issues over fire response and gas cutting hot work.