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Air New Zealand Airbus A320 aircraft ZK-OXJ in flight with landing gear extended, approaching for landing against a blue sky. The aircraft features a distinctive black-and-white koru fern livery.

Aviation TAIC reports on likely near collision of drone and passenger jet

A drone likely came close to an passenger jet on approach to a major NZ airport, the drone being in breach of NZ civil aviation rules. TAIC recommends drone registration, remote ID, and geo-fencing, calls on Ministry of Transport and CAA to modernise drone regulations in line with international best practice.

Air New Zealand Airbus A320 aircraft ZK-OXJ in flight with landing gear extended, approaching for landing against a blue sky. The aircraft features a distinctive black-and-white koru fern livery.

Aviation AO-2024-003: Airbus A320-232, ZK-OXJ and drone, air proximity incident over South Auckland, 7 NM east of Auckland International Airport, 2 April 2024

, Inquiry Status: Closed

TAIC report on near-collision between passenger jet and drone highlights need for better identification and control of drones and operators. #airShare #Dronerules #Dronesafety

TAIC investigation found drone reported by aircraft crew would have been in breach of current rules; but…

Aerial view of the container ship Shiling adrift in open ocean following a machinery failure during its second incident in 2023. The vessel is heavily laden with multi-coloured shipping containers stacked on deck. The bow is visibly trimmed low, and the ship appears to be listing slightly to port. Sea state is moderate under clear skies, with the New Zealand coastline faintly visible on the horizon. Image captured by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter during a response operation

Marine Substandard ships should be banned from New Zealand

Deferred maintenance is a risk in itself. It’s virtually certain the container ship Shiling was unseaworthy when in NZ, despite holding valid certificates. Shiling twice needed to be rescued and towed. TAIC identifies safety issues and makes recommendations around the presence of substandard ships…

Shiling after the second incident - photo Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter

Marine MO-2023-203: Container vessel, Shiling, Loss of control Wellington harbour, 15 April 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

TAIC recommends law change to ban substandard ships from NZ. Commission’s final report on container ship Shiling finds the ship twice needed to be rescued and towed back to port in 2023, due to deferred maintenance. The…

Close-up view of the right-hand main landing gear of a Boeing 777 aircraft on a wet airport apron during rainfall. The image shows six main gear tyres; the rear-most tyre (right side of image) is visibly deflated and compressed under load, with sidewall deformation. Other tyres appear fully inflated. Water runoff is visible on the gear structure and pooling on the concrete surface. A ground vehicle is present in the background to the right.

TAIC reports on Boeing 777 veering off runway

TAIC reports on Boeing 777 passenger jet veering off runway: heavy rain contributed to late transition from autopilot to manual control. The report has lessons for all aircraft operators: ensure crews know and…

A Boeing 777 passenger plane with landing gear down. File photo.

Aviation AO-2023-003: Runway excursion (veer-off), Boeing 777-319ER, ZK-OKN, Auckland International Airport, 27 January 2023

, Inquiry Status: Closed

TAIC report on Boeing 777 passenger jet veering off runway: heavy rain contributed to late transition from autopilot to manual control.

Lessons for all aircraft operators: ensure crews know and understand…

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

TAIC is investigation an accident on board the bulk carrier Olivia. The reported circumstances were that during work on a boiler in the engine room there was an explosion or flashback, causing injury to the three crew…

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…

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…