Inquiries & Recommendations

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Severe "sink" experienced during an approach to a high level landing site resulted in a collision with terrain of Aerospatiale AS 350B helicopter ZK-HNH near the summit of Mt Fyffe, 12 km north-west of Kaikoura on 1 February 1993. The safety issues discussed in the report are: the ineffectiveness of the local wind indicators, the inaccessibility of the mountain survival gear carried in the aircraft and the need to develop local contingency plans for aviation emergencies in the Kaikoura area.

On Thursday 15 May 2003, at about 1240 hours, bi-parting doors on Train 3247, a Tranz Metro Auckland to Papakura diesel multiple unit passenger service, closed on an alighting passenger at Glen Innes station and the train departed with the passenger trapped in the door. The driver heard the trapped passenger’s screams and stopped the train within about 15 m from where the train departed. The passenger suffered minor injuries. The safety issues identified were: · the door closure process · the inspection of safety critical door components.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

While off loading a sling-load of bales of seaweed the pilot sensed a transient "buzz" from the tail rotor which disappeared with the application of yaw pedal. On the transit back to the pick up point at about 200 feet amsl and 60 knots IAS there was a brief, high frequency, vibration throughout the airframe followed by a loud noise. The helicopter's nose pitched down sharply. A witness on the beach saw the tail rotor separate and fall, apparently intact, to the sea.

A fatal controlled flight into terrain occurred after aircraft turned away from planned/ authorised route in uncontrolled airspace. Terrain proximity awareness system either too dim or not selected. All pilots should follow Civil Aviation Rules, apply validation steps such as cross-checking altitude and distance for flight plans, use onboard safety equipment. Flight training schools should have robust flight authorisation systems.

On Thursday 19 October 1995 at 0940 hours, Cameron A-210 balloon ZK-FAR, on a passenger scenic flight, was overtaken by a squall line, lifted and blown out to sea near North New Brighton, Christchurch. Three passengers were drowned. The rapid approach of the squall line and the pilot's non-observance of it because of preoccupation were factors in the accident. Safety issues addressed were the carriage of lifejackets, and procedures for approval of check pilots.

TAIC reports on fatal capsize of recreational boat while crossing harbour bar. NZ needs to require boats to be registered, and we need minimum standards for boat design and construction, and we need to assess skippers for minimum standards of knowledge and boat handling. To accept the status quo is to accept the current rate of 15-20 deaths a year. Education campaigns to encourage safer boating are good but not enough; they don’t reach all skippers and listening is optional.

New TAIC Final Report presents crucial lessons for ship operations, human factors, and Pilot training. A bulk carrier ship, under conduct of harbour pilot, went off course in strong wind while entering Bluff Harbour. Its anchors failed to deploy in time, and it contacted the seabed. Minor damage to ship hull, damage to 2 tugs, no personal injuries.

On 22 April 2019, a BK117-C1 helicopter (ZK-IMX) on a medical evacuation positioning flight to the Auckland Islands arrived after dark and continued under visual flight rules using night vision goggles. While attempting to descend below cloud near Enderby Island, the helicopter impacted the sea. The three crew escaped, swam to shore, and were rescued the next day with minor injuries. The helicopter was recovered three weeks later.

A freight train collided with a hi-Rail vehicle on the main south-line between Milton and Henley in South Otago. The occupant of the Hi-Rail vehicle exited prior to impact and was not injured. The hi-Rail was substantially damaged.

On the evening of Friday 27 January 2023, Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKN was returning to land at Auckland, having flown from Auckland to Melbourne earlier that day. As the aeroplane neared the runway it began to drift right of the runway centreline. Soon after touchdown it veered off the runway onto a sealed shoulder.

In the early evening of 2 April 2024, the crew of an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 reported seeing what they described as a drone while at 2000 feet on the final approach for runway 23L at Auckland. As a result of the drone sighting, and for the safety of other aircraft, Air Traffic Control closed that portion of the Auckland airspace for 15 minutes, resulting in delays to other inbound aircraft.