On Friday 30 March 2007, Dornier 228-202 ZK-VIR was on a positioning flight from Westport to Christchurch, when the 2-pilot crew became light-headed and felt faint. Concerned about their safety, the crew was able to descend the aircraft and make a safe landing at Christchurch. They subsequently made a full recovery.
No cause for the effects felt by the crew could be identified. The aircraft eventually entered revenue service and no further incidents were reported.
The safety issues identified were the failure of the cockpit voice recorder to function as designed and the lack of portable oxygen for sustained flights at moderate altitudes. Because of the actions by the operator, no safety recommendations were required.
