Inquiries & Recommendations

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A loaded freight train derailed when departing Wellington Freight Terminal, dragged derailed wagon through 6 sets of points. Automated systems eventually halted train 256 metres along the track. No injuries, but substantial damage to rail infrastructure led days of passenger service disruption. Very likely contributing factors: track alignment, track faults and track twist; and rough wheel flange.

Worse-than-expected sea conditions caused capsize of a perceived very safe ‘pontoon’ design water taxi. Skipper rescued all six passengers trapped inside, all survived. Lessons for passenger boat sector: know vessel stability as well as buoyancy; prioritise safety over commercial expectations; manage risks; ensure the right safety equipment is available; actively lead safety on-board.

The two aircraft were departing from the Milford Sound area for Queenstown when a collision occurred. ZK-DAX was landed safely but ZK-DQF fell into the Sound. The occupants of ZK-DQF were killed in the accident.

On 25 August 1994 as Cessna A185E, ZK-JEM slowed following a beach landing, the left undercarriage leg collapsed. Initial looseness of the leg attachment bolt or loss of torque in service was likely to have reduced the integrity of the undercarriage assembly. [Includes addendum]

At approximately 1420 hours on Sunday 24 September 1995, ZK-FPM was mid-downwind for a landing at the Chateau Airstrip near Mt Ruapehu when the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot changed the fuel tank selection and power was restored but on final approach the engine lost power again. Two of the five occupants received back injuries in the ensuing forced landing on undulating ground short of the airstrip. The cause of the initial power loss was not determined.

On 11 June 1994 the student pilot was authorised for a period of practice aerobatics. He decided to fly over a friend's house and lost control during a steep turn at low level and the aircraft collided with the ground.

The pilot was operating from a sloping airstrip situated on a ridge. Approximately half the contract had been completed and fertiliser loads were being progressively increased. During take-off an engine malfunction may have caused the pilot to briefly apply the brakes. The take-off roll was longer than normal and the mainwheels entered shrubbery at the end of the airstrip. The aircraft pitched steeply nose up, stalled, and dived into the trees, seriously injuring the pilot.

The Commission is providing New Zealand’s Accredited Representative participating in the Indonesia National Transportation Committee’s investigation of a fatal accident involving a New Zealand-manufactured Pacific Aerospace Ltd 750XL aeroplane

The aircraft collided with trees immediately after taking off from a farm airstrip. The aircraft descended into a bush clad gully and caught fire. The pilot succeeded in vacating the cockpit but received extensive burns. He died in hospital 14 days after the accident.

On 18 October 1993 a shunting locomotive struck a car on the Matapihi Road level crossing, Mount Maunganui, fatally injuring the motorist. The safety issues identified in this report are the location and substance of the passive signs prior to the crossing, and the number and location of the active warning devices at the crossing.

A Robinson R44 helicopter disappeared while on a short flight over Lake Wanaka. Searchers found an oil slick on the lake surface and some debris on land nearby.

A work train was allowed to travel through an area where a hi-rail excavator was on the track. The excavator driver cleared the track. No damage, no injury. A local procedural work-around had been prioritised over established safety rules -- risky. TAIC recommends KiwiRail review its Rules and Procedures to provide appropriate guidance for operation of work trains.