Two aircraft passed too close in uncontrolled airspace in cloud over Northland in August 2023. TAIC makes recommendations for CAA and Ministry of Transport to resolve systemic safety issues in design of the North Sector airspace and absence of a clear agency responsible for comprehensive airspace reviews.
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.
A runway incursion incident at Hamilton Aerodrome involving an Airbus A320 aeroplane registration VH-A5E operating as JQ166 operated by Jetstar Airways and a Cessna 172 registration ZK-TAP operated by Ardmore Flying School.
a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed on coastal land near the Makara Wind Farm, to the West of Wellington. The reported circumstances were that activation of the helicopter’s Emergency Locator Transmitter alerted emergency services
The Commission is investigating a collision between a northbound freight train and a heavy road vehicle at the Elizabeth Street level crossing in Waikanae at 0620 on 15 October 2025.
Two aircraft came within 20 feet on final approach at night at Ardmore Airport. Safety lessons for pilots, aircraft owners, engineers, and operators of busy unattended aerodromes. Communication, visibility, access to shared procedures make the difference. Recommendations to improve night flying safety across New Zealand.
TAIC reinforces importance of effective supervision of trainees undertaking safety-critical tasks and robust engineering risk controls for complex systems. Lessons for all industries where the supervision of safety-critical tasks performed by inexperienced or unqualified staff is necessary to maintain safety.
Heavy rain contributed to late transition from autopilot to manual control. Lessons for all aircraft operators: ensure crews know and understand the operator’s and aircraft manuals and procedures and are thoroughly briefed. Operator Air New Zealand has amended operational procedures and information and provided pilot training. No new safety recommendations.
A drone likely came close to an passenger jet on approach to a major NZ airport, the drone being in breach of NZ civil aviation rules. TAIC recommends drone registration, remote ID, and geo-fencing, calls on Ministry of Transport and CAA to modernise drone regulations in line with international best practice.
Grounding near Auckland: why the basics always matter. This is a real-world case study and useful training material for what can go wrong when safety critical staff overlook the basics.
The lesson for all high-risk work sites: don’t rely on procedures alone; physical protections are essential. TAIC recommends that KiwiRail: Improve authorisation for rail movements; Require physical protections for removed track; and ensure staffing levels and support for critical roles.
Media release, first published 6 June 2025Substandard ships should be banned from New Zealand, under appropriate criteria, says the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) in its final report into the container ship Shiling, which twice had to be rescued and towed back to port in 2023.TAIC’s Chief Investigator of Accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam, says substandard ships represent a real risk to their crew members, to New Zealanders – including coastal and harbour pilots, stevedores, and other contractors – and to New Zealand’s coastal environment.