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

Rail Newsletter: Freight train near miss with rail workers

NB: The below is a brief plain English summary of key points in the Report issued today by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. The report RO-2024-102 | TAIC speaks for itself.
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 unqualified staff is necessary to maintain safety.

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 workers were attempting to dislodge a piece of work equipment that had become stuck…

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.…

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.…