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Two accident investigators wearing high-visibility gear and safety helmets approach a large bulk carrier berthed at a port. The vessel's hull shows signs of rust, and the front of the main superstructure bears the stencilled words "SAFETY FIRST." In the foreground, several hose handling trolleys are lined up on the wharf. The concrete surface of the wharf is puddled and reflective after rain, with orange and white safety cones placed nearby. The sky is mostly clear and the Sun is low, behind the bulk of the

Marine MO-2025-204: Crew injury on bulk carrier, M.V. Olivia, South Port, Bluff, 24 May 2025

, Inquiry Status: Current

The reported circumstances: during work on a boiler in the engine room there was an explosion or flashback, causing injury to the three crew members. TAIC is investigating this ‘serious marine casualty’ as required under the International Maritime Organisation’s Casualty Investigation Code.

Workers in orange high-vis on a train track near a level crossing

Rail Newsletter: Freight train near miss with rail workers

TAIC report on rail near miss 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…

Workers in orange high-vis on a train track near a level crossing

Rail RO-2024-102: Freight Train 882, near miss with track workers, Main South Line, Hornby 27 km, 7 March 2024

, Inquiry Status: Closed

A trainee rail protection officer authorized workers to start work on the main south line in Hornby before a scheduled train had passed through. The workers realized a train was approaching when level crossing bells started ringing and were able to get off the track in time.
TAIC identified…

Passenger train on rails

Rail RO-2025-106: Passenger train near miss with track workers, Plimmerton, 8 May 2025

, Inquiry Status: Current

TAIC is investigating a worksite incident where a Transdev passenger train nearly collided with track workers, near Plimmerton on the North Island Main Trunk Line.
The reported circumstances were that track…

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

Aviation 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…

TranzAlpine train - two locomotives and several carriages in a rural setting with snow-capped mountains in the background

Rail RO-2023-106: Passenger train 804, TranzAlpine, train parting, Arthur’s Pass, 17 December 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

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…

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…

The wreckage of the helicopter

Aviation AO-2023-010: Kawasaki BK117 B-2, ZK-HHJ, Collision with terrain, Mount Pirongia, 19 September 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

A rescue helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain after entering vortex ring state (VRS)—a dangerous flight condition where the main rotor loses lift And a sudden increase in the helicopter’s rate of descent. This may…

the vessel at anchor

Marine MO-2024-201: Passenger vessel, Fiordland Navigator, Grounding, Doubtful Sound, 24 January 2024

, Inquiry Status: Closed

The Fiordland Navigator ran aground after the fatigued master almost certainly fell asleep at the helm. TAIC found gaps in fatigue management, monitoring of medical fitness, and risk controls for sole-charge masters.…