The circumstances initially reported were that an Airbus A320-271N passenger aircraft, registration ZK-NHA, experienced an engine malfunction during its flight from Wellington to Sydney. The aircraft diverted to Auckland Airport where it landed safely. No crew or passengers were reported to have been injured.
Interim factual report shows that damage to a cockpit overhead panel for control of engine fires can cause self-activation of a switch that shuts down its designated engine. Similar events have occurred internationally.
Manufacturers of the switch and the aircraft have since alerted operators of all A320 family aircraft worldwide. And following a TAIC recommendation to Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has issued an Airworthiness Directive to compel inspection, identification and replacement affected components by November 2027.
