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

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 aerodromes. It shows how communication, visibility, and access to shared procedures can make all the difference and makes recommendations to improve night flying safety across New Zealand.

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

Aviation AO-2023-011: ZK-JED Beech 76/ ZK-WFS Cessna, 172 Near mid-air collision, Ardmore Aerodrome, 3 October 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

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 aerodromes. It shows how communication, visibility, and access to shared procedures…

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 alarms, and no procedure for crew to deal with partings revealed wider risks.

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.…

A white Mitsubishi Fuso truck with rail wheels (a Hi-Rail Vehicle) is on a railway track, facing toward the viewer. The front of the truck shows signs of damage, with a deeply crumpled bumper and further damage and dents to the front panels. The truck's headlights are illuminated, and the windshield reflects the sky. The truck is on a track laid with gravel and wooden sleepers, and metal railings are visible on either side of the track. Lush green vegetation forms the backdrop.

Rail RO-2025-105: Collision, freight train and HRV, Kaimai Tunnel portal, 6 April 2025

, Inquiry Status: Current

TAIC is investigating a collision between a freight train and a Hi-Rail vehicle. The accident occurred at about 12:42 on 6 April 2025, near the western entrance of the Kaimai Tunnel on the East Coast Main Trunk Line.…

Photograph of accident boat. Identifying marks are obscured in post production.

Marine MO-2022-206: Charter fishing vessel, i-Catcher, Capsize, Goose Bay, New Zealand, 10 September 2022

, Inquiry Status: Closed

New TAIC #marinesafety report highlights nationwide and international safety issues with emergency equipment, NZ emergency rescue sector, maritime regulations, standards. 8m aluminium boat capsized. Six survived. Five…

The Austro Carina fishing vessel at the accident site. The vessel lies aground with its right rear quarter under water.

Marine MO-2023-206: Fishing vessel, Austro Carina, Stranding at Red Bay, Banks Peninsula, 24 September 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

New TAIC report on a failure to ensure safe navigation while the crew were fishing. Fishing vessel Austro Carina stranded because a turn took it toward land and nobody was in the wheelhouse to stop it happening.…