Inquiries & Recommendations

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On 9 July 2021, a Kavanagh Balloons E-260 carrying 10 passengers and a pilot on a scenic flight over the Wakatipu Basin made a hard landing after two aborted attempts. The impact ejected the pilot and two passengers, causing serious injuries, while others sustained minor or no injuries. The balloon slid about 150 metres before coming to rest with minor damage.

At 1053 on 18 October 2018, an MD 500D helicopter registered ZK- HOJ took off from Wānaka Aerodrome with a pilot and two Department of Conservation workers on board. The helicopter had just departed from the perimeter of the aerodrome when it started to break up in flight, began spinning while descending near vertically and caught fire after it struck the ground.

A Cessna light aeroplane and a Tecnam microlight collided on final approach parallel runways at Masterton. Tecnam had right of way but Cessna pilot did not see Tecnam. Both pilots died. Pilots should always keep a lookout for other aircraft, listen out for radio calls, obey Civil Aviation Rules, and follow standard operating procedures. CAA and WorkSafe should work with aerodrome owners and operators to ensure that operators and managers of aerodromes receive appropriate training and support.

Two Dash-8 passenger aircraft avoided collision on approach to Wellington Airport (saved by human and last-defence automated systems) after one Dash-8 followed the wrong lead aircraft. Nobody hurt, no damage. All safety issues addressed, so no new recommendations

A glider crashed near the summit of Mount Tauhara, Taupō, killing the two people on board – an instructor & student. Safety issues relate to pilot competency associated with ridge soaring and instructor training at Taupō. TAIC has recommended that Taupo Gliding Club and Gliding NZ upgrade their systems to improve safety.

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.

This report examines 6 track heat buckle incidents that occurred in different localities throughout New Zealand in the summer of 2000/2001, 5 of which resulted in derailments. Safety issues identified by these incidents included: • the need for training of track staff to ensure they recognise and respond to visible track defects • the possible need to protect continuous welded rail, formed at an unknown neutral temperature, during hot weather • the need to control tamping and lining to ensure track is not realigned leaving increased compressive stress in the rails

Fatal helicopter crash. An Airbus AS350 B3e helicopter ZK-ITD was being flown from the operator’s base in Milton to a client’s cherry orchard near Alexandra to conduct frost protection operations. The helicopter conducted a series of turns immediately before, and after, reaching the township of Lawrence. Soon after, the helicopter made a descending right-hand turn through nearly 160 degrees before entering a left-hand spiral dive that ended in a near vertical nose-down impact with the ground.

Safety issues for Airwork Flight Ops: fuel checklists, crew training, control centre comms, weather info, crew compliance with manuals, safety management system. No new recommendation because all issues addressed. A Boeing 737 freighter landed with fuel exhaustion imminent because centre fuel tank pumps were switched off for whole flight.

A pilot qualification, licence or aircraft-type rating does not in itself confer expertise. Pilots need to be familiar with the aircraft they are flying and their own capability as they gain experience. Pilots also need to ensure they are fully aware of the increased risks of flying at low level and monitor the performance of their aircraft accordingly.

The Fiordland Navigator ran aground after the fatigued master almost certainly fell asleep at the helm. TAIC found gaps in fatigue management, monitoring of medical fitness, and risk controls for sole-charge masters. Several passengers and crew suffered minor injuries, but the emergency response was effective. The vessel’s operator has since strengthened fatigue policies, added support roles, and improved safety oversight. TAIC made one recommendation—to Maritime NZ—to improve awareness of ongoing medical fitness responsibilities for seafarers.

Balloon landings are a safety-critical phase of flight. If anyone or anything is ejected from basket during landing, an accident is virtually certain because balloon is uncontrolled, passengers unattended. To avoid this, all balloon pilots should wear safety harnesses. Owners/operators should install them. Also, passenger safety briefings must be clear, concise, easy for all passengers to follow.