Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

The Commission is inquiring into a train derailment on the Midland Line at about 2200 on 3 November 2026.The reported circumstances were that, the KiwiRail-operated coal train 834 was heading to Christchurch and was near Otira when at least one of its wagons derailed. The train stopped inside the Otira Tunnel. While no injuries were reported, there was extensive damage to both the rolling stock and railway infrastructure. 

The Commission is investigating an accident involving a Cessna 172P near Nelson at approximately 0922 on 3 November 2026.The reported circumstances were that the aircraft, registration ZK-BFQ, departed Nelson Airport and was reported overdue. Search and rescue then located the wreckage in remote terrain at North Castor Peak, Bryant Range, near the Nelson - Marlborough boundary. The two occupants were deceased and the aircraft was destroyed.  

The Commission is investigating an accident involving a heritage train at Te Awamutu railway station in which one person died.

For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is assisting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States of America.

For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is assisting an investigation by the Accident investigation Commission of Papua New Guinnea (PNG).

The Commission is investigating an incident involving a TransDev Wellington-operated metro passenger train on the North Island Main Trunk line on 1 September 2026. The reported circumstances were that the South-bound Train 6219, was travelling towards Plimmerton Station when it passed signal 803 at stop. With emergency braking, the train came to rest approximately 59 metres past the signal. Reportedly, there were no conflicting rail movements, no damage to the train or track, and none of the 89 passengers and four crew were injured.

The Commission is investigating a safe working irregularity that occurred around 1250am on 23 July 2026, on North Island Main Trunk Line between Papakura and Wiri, Auckland.

For New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission is assisting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States of America. The reported circumstances were that on 14 June, 2026, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL (USA registration N221BN) operated by Skydive Kansas City crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and all 11 passengers. The wreckage was destroyed by a post-crash fire.

The Commission is investigating an incident involving an ATR 72-600 aeroplane operated by Air New Zealand, registration ZK-MVC.

Interim report shows train was diverted onto a runaway track at Khandallah Station and despite emergency braking hit the concrete stop block.

The Commission is investigating an incident involving the disablement of a passenger train in a tunnel.