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Marine MO-2022-202 & MO-2022-203, Independent inquiry into port operations accidents at Lyttelton and Auckland
TAIC is inquiring into the fatal accidents at Lyttelton Port and Ports of Auckland. The Minister of Transport directed TAIC to inquire into the circumstances and causes of the two accidents and provide an independent safety-focused investigation to determine any potential system-wide lessons. The accident at Ports of Auckland was on 19 April, in which a stevedore reportedly fell from height during loading operations for a container ship. The accident at Lyttelton Port happened on 25 April during coal loading operations for a bulk carrier ship.

Marine MO-2021-203: Collision between Fishing Vessel ‘Commission’ and container ship ‘Kota Lembah’, 84 nautical miles northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 28 July 2021
At about 4am on 28 July 2021, fishing vessel Commission (motoring) collided with the container vessel Kota Lembah (drifting awaiting port berth at Auckland). Damage to fishing vessel stabiliser and wheelhouse. Neither vessel’s hull was breached. Nobody hurt. TAIC recommendations address 3 key…

Aviation AO-2019-002: Bombardiers DHC-8-311, ZK-NEH and ZK-NEF, ‘Loss of separation’ near Wellington, New Zealand, 12 March 2019
Two Dash-8 passenger aircraft avoided collision on approach to Wellington Airport (saved by human and last-defence automated systems) after one Dash-8 followed the wrong lead aircraft. Nobody hurt, no damage. All safety issues addressed, so no new recommendations
Aviation AO-2020-001: Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600, ZK-LTK Impact with terrain Kourarau Hill, Masterton 24 April 2020
Medical incapacity as likely as not cause of fatal accident near Masterton in April 2020. On take-off, an agricultural aircraft ran off a farm airstrip. It struck rough ground, undercarriage broke, damaged a wing,…
![The salvaged remains of the Enchanter. [TAIC photo] On a estuary beach sits the salvaged hull and main deck of the fishing vessel wreck. Almost all superstructure is missing.](/sites/default/files/styles/homepage_article/public/inquiry/hero/MO-2022-201_Enchanter1.jpg?itok=1OyFEZJx)
Marine MO-2022-201: Sinking of a Fishing vessel, off North Cape, 20 March 2022
The fishing charter vessel Enchanter foundered (filled with water – some parts of the wreck floated, while other parts sank) offshore from North Cape on the night of 20/21 March. Ten persons were on board; five,…
Aviation AO-2022-001: Ultramagic, S.A. N-250, ZK-MET, Pilot ejection from basket on landing, Lyndhurst, near Methven, 1 January 2022
Preliminary Report: Commercial balloon pilots should be required to wear restraint harnesses during safety-critical phases of flight. Current Civil Aviation Rules specifically exempt balloon pilots from having to wear…

Rail RO-2020-101: Level crossing collision, Mulcocks Road, Flaxton, 10 February 2020
A passenger train collided with a truck, fatally injuring the truck driver. Truck had stopped but phone call distracted truck driver, who reduced pressure on brake and truck moved onto track. TAIC calls for formal…

Marine MO-2020-202: Bulk log carrier Funing, Loss of manoeuvrability while leaving port, Port of Tauranga, 6 July 2020
The log carrier Funing was departing port when its main engine failed. Drifting in the current, its propeller and rudder tangled in a buoy mooring chain. A fuel injection unit had seized due to coking debris caused by…
Rail RO-2020-104: Safe Working Irregularity, East Coast Main Trunk Line, Hamilton Eureka, 21 September 2020
Railway track workers were at risk when a train approached in what they thought was a protected work area. Administrative procedures like forms and radio calls are not enough to mitigate this sort of risk. Everyone…