Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

A commercial jet boat lost control, crashed into trees. Injuries to two of the twelve persons on board. Jet boat engine failed, so no steering. All due to a single failure in an engine control fuse that broke from metal fatigue. The fuse box, bolted to the engine, was vibrating too much. TAIC recommends urgent action to address risks associated with single points of failure.

An air ambulance helicopter was dispatched from Hamilton Airport to recover a trauma patient on Mount Pirongia. While descending on the windward side of a ridge line to recover the patient, the helicopter rapidly and unexpectedly dropped in height. The helicopter impacted the terrain on a west-facing escarpment covered by dense native forest. The helicopter was severely damaged. The pilot, crew member and paramedic escaped without injury.

TAIC calling for improvements in ship safety management systems (Singapore) and mooring winch installation. On container ship Rio De La Plata, a rope handler suffered serious injuries to hand and face when they were trapped between incoming rope and winch. Issues with the ship’s safety system; equipment installation not optimised for safety; and loss of situational awareness. www.taic.org.nz/mo-2020-204

A skydive tandem pair crash-landed into a lake following a double parachute malfunction. The tandem rider’s lifejacket did not properly inflate, and the rider was lost in the lake, presumed deceased. Parachutists everywhere need to practice water landings, which are even riskier than you might think. TAIC recommends changes to aviation rules and incident reporting.

Engine trouble unresolved by the pilot resulted in heavy landing. Helicopter destroyed by severe on-ground shaking. All five people on board injured to varying degrees, including head injuries, one fatally. TAIC recommendations address two key issues – importance of comprehensive practical training in aircraft type, and the benefits of wearing helmets.

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.

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.

The two aircraft were departing from the Milford Sound area for Queenstown when a collision occurred. ZK-DAX was landed safely but ZK-DQF fell into the Sound. The occupants of ZK-DQF were killed in the accident.

On 25 August 1994 as Cessna A185E, ZK-JEM slowed following a beach landing, the left undercarriage leg collapsed. Initial looseness of the leg attachment bolt or loss of torque in service was likely to have reduced the integrity of the undercarriage assembly. [Includes addendum]

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 11 June 1994 the student pilot was authorised for a period of practice aerobatics. He decided to fly over a friend's house and lost control during a steep turn at low level and the aircraft collided with the ground.

The pilot was operating from a sloping airstrip situated on a ridge. Approximately half the contract had been completed and fertiliser loads were being progressively increased. During take-off an engine malfunction may have caused the pilot to briefly apply the brakes. The take-off roll was longer than normal and the mainwheels entered shrubbery at the end of the airstrip. The aircraft pitched steeply nose up, stalled, and dived into the trees, seriously injuring the pilot.