Inquiries & Recommendations

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[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.]

The investigation of this accident in international waters was the responsibility of the Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal (KMST). A copy of the KMST's investigation report is provided for download. The Commission provided assistance to the KMST's investigation in accordance with Section 8(2) of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990.

At about 0945 hours on Friday 7 June 1996, a depot staff member, while piloting a DFT locomotive at Westfield, fell from the front cowcatcher step. He had given an unexpected "stop" hand signal to the driver, who responded with an immediate full brake application, and the resulting decelerative forces probably caused the pilot to overbalance and lose his grip. The pilot was run over by the locomotive's cowcatcher, sustaining serious injuries from which he died six days later.

On Wednesday 18 August 2004, at about 0815, an unmanned DFT locomotive, that had been stabled in the loop at Pines, ran away on to the Main North Line and collided with stationary Train 726, a Christchurch-Picton express freight service. The runaway locomotive struck the second wagon in the consist of Train 726, which was standing over No.3 motor points at the south end of Pines. There were no injuries and only minor damage to the DFT locomotive and one wagon on Train 726. Safety issues identified were: - the procedures for the application of the handbrake on the locomotives

On Sunday 25 January 2004, at about 1130, a consist of 3 motor trolleys coupled together was on a scenic ride on the Waitara Branch, when the trailing motor trolley, with a driver and 4 passengers on board, became detached from the consist and derailed. The driver and passengers were catapulted from the motor trolley when it came to an abrupt halt and slewed through 90 degrees. The driver and 3 of the passengers received moderate to serious injuries. The safety issues identified were: · The coupling of motor trolleys together during revenue earning trips

The student agricultural pilot was operating ZK-CTO under the supervision of his instructor who was flying another FU24 on the same sowing task. Both pilots completed several sorties before the instructor halted operations to rebrief the student on his sowing pattern. Further sorties were flown satisfactorily, followed by a break at which time the aircraft were refuelled. During the climbout on the second load after refuelling witnesses heard the engine of ZK-CTO cut then misfire before apparently regaining power.

To enable a good run at the hill, the driver of a fully loaded coal train reversed past one red light and when warned stopped just before another, just avoiding a collision with an empty passenger train. The three KiwiRail staff directly involved neither knew nor followed correct procedure. One was not asked to undergo a post-incident drug and alcohol test. All staff should know and follow safety procedures; and ensure they jointly understand what’s being planned.

On Friday 23 April 2004, Helicopter Services UH-1B helicopter ZK-HSF was on a ferry flight to Gore to facilitate maintenance work. En-route near Mokoreta a main rotor blade separated, the helicopter broke up and fell to the ground. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed and the helicopter was destroyed. The accident resulted from fatigue failure of a tension-torsion (TT) strap, a critical rotor hub component. The fatigue cracking had probably been initiated by an unreported rotor overspeed event. Safety issues identified included:

On Monday 18 June 2007 at 0812, ZK-EAK, a Hawker Beechcraft Corporation 1900D, was on approach to land at Wellington when the landing gear failed to lower. The 2-pilot crew completed a missed approach and further attempted to lower the landing gear by both normal and emergency means. The landing gear remained retracted, so the crew elected to divert to Woodbourne where a wheels-up landing was made. The aircraft sustained moderate damage consistent with a wheels-up landing. There was no injury to the crew or the 15 passengers.

At about 1915 on Saturday 22 September 2007, southbound express freight Train 239 parted between the 22nd and 23rd wagons while the train was travelling on the North Island Main Trunk line between Te Awamutu and Te Kawa. The emergency brakes applied automatically as the air pressure in the brake pipe reduced and both portions of the train rolled to a stop, some distance apart.

[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.]

[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.]