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Two aircraft; twin-engine Beech Duchess and single-engine Cessna 172

Near-collision highlights safety lessons for all busy, unattended aerodromes

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.

TransAlpine train with mountains in background

Rail Newsletter: Passenger train parting exposes gaps in inspection and response

Passenger train parts at low speed, inspection and response gaps exposed.
A cracked coupler, unnoticed in maintenance, caused carriages on the TranzAlpine tourist train to part. Power braking stress, missed alarms, and no procedure for crew to deal with partings revealed wider risks.

The wreckage of a crashed BK117 rescue helicopter sits upright in dense bush on a steep slope. The helicopter has a red fuselage with 'RESCUE' and 'King Country – Coromandel' markings, and a yellow tail boom. the main rotor blades are torn up, ripped and distorted from slashing through the trees during the crash sequence. A man in a high-visibility vest bearing the TAIC logo stands with his back to the viewer, looking at the wreck. Another person in rescue gear is partially visible among the vegetation.

Aviation TAIC inquiry proves vortex ring state safety risk for helicopters worldwide

A rescue helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain after entering vortex ring state—a dangerous flight condition where the main rotor loses lift in descent rate increases. Key safety points:
o Pilots need a deep understanding of how VRS develops
o Flight manuals must Identify the flight conditions and parameters conducive to VRS
o VRS alert systems could prevent future accidents

A large blue and yellow passenger vessel named 'Fiordland Navigator' is anchored on calm water in a mountain fjord. The vessel has three tall masts, each with a furled jib sail for optional wind-powered sailing. It features three decks with rows of windows, and an open front viewing platform. In the background, a small craft moves across the water. The fjord is surrounded by steep, forested mountains under a cloudy sky.

Marine Fatigue led to cruise vessel impacting Doubtful Sound mountainside

The fatigued master of a cruise vessel almost certainly fell asleep at the helm and it ran aground. 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.

A white motorboat cruising on calm blue waters near a hilly coastline. Two individuals are on board, one steering the boat and the other standing beside the cabin. The boat is equipped with fishing rods mounted on the roof and an outboard Yamaha engine. Some identifying details on the boat and individuals’ faces have been obscured for privacy.

Marine TAIC report on iCatcher accident reveals issues with 111 system, lifejackets, marine regulations-

New TAIC report highlights nationwide and international safety issues, including emergency equipment, NZ emergency rescue sector, maritime regulations, standards.

A fishing vessel named Austro Carina is partially submerged and leaning against a rocky and high cliff. The stern of the vessel is in the water, while the bow remains above the surface. The surrounding water is turquoise, and the cliff has layers of brown and reddish rock with sparse green vegetation. The sky is clear and blue.

Marine Newsletter: Watchkeeping an issue for stranded fishing vessel

All seafarers, fishing vessel owners and operators, fishing vessel insurers and maritime training schools will benefit from a better understanding of how safety improves with good watchkeeping and crew members who are alert to their surroundings and ready and able to speak up when they notice danger.

A railway track scene with annotations, using Fig 6 from the TAIC Report. A ground level view in a river plain surrounded closely by steep hills. The main rail line stretches into the distance. In the foreground, railway points give access leftwards to the crossing loop track. An annotated shape shows the position of a Westbound freight train, stationary on the crossing loop. Also foreground, a signal displays a red light for the Eastbound coal train that was approaching the entrance points for the loop

Rail Newsletter: Long COVID affects operators of heavy machinery

Employers and managers of safety-critical workers, please note: workplace safety risk from after-effects of acute illnesses such as COVID-19. Can impair workers’ concentration, memory and thinking, including their ability to reliably self-assess as being fit to return to work. TAIC reports on occurrence where coal train missed and passed a stop signal, potentially into conflict with oncoming freight train.

The incident aircraft, an Airbus A320-271N - file photo from October 2024

Aviation TAIC investigating A320 engine issue during Wellington to Auckland flight

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. TAIC is calling for witnesses.

a passenger train stands stationary, across a set of points. In the foreground a rail traffic signal displays a red light. The parallel-converging track on the left is the one along which the metropolitan train was authorised to travel.

Rail TAIC report - Te Huia SPAD near Penrose, Auckland

Passenger train ‘Te Huia’ went through stop light (SPAD) vulnerable to impact from other passenger train. TAIC recommendations relate to train driver route knowledge, need for rail vehicles sharing a rail network to have same engineering solution to prevent passing stop signals, and signal visibility

the Aratere with tugs readying to refloat the ferry

Marine Interim factual report on grounding of Interislander ferry Aratere

Interim factual report on the grounding of KiwiRail’s Interislander ferry Aratere during its Picton to Wellington sailing on the evening of 21 June 2024. The report sets out the facts and circumstances established to this point in the Commission’s inquiry, which is ongoing.