Latest news with #TransportAccidentInvestigationCommission
1News
4 days ago
- General
- 1News
Poor seamanship, lack of proper charts led to Hauraki Gulf grounding
Poor seamanship and a failure to carry proper charts caused a Japanese fishing boat to hit rocks in the Hauraki Gulf last year, an investigation has found. About 3.40am on April 16, 2024, the Chokyu Maru No.68 was approaching Auckland when it struck The Noises, a group of islands about 25km northeast of the city. The ship sustained a small hole in its bow and damage to its propeller, but none of the 27 crew on board was injured and there was no oil leak or other environmental damage. The 48-metre vessel was refloated later that morning and towed to port for repairs. The grounding sparked an investigation by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), which released its findings late last week. ADVERTISEMENT Acting chief investigator of accidents Louise Cooke said it was a "textbook example" of what could happen when the basics of good seamanship were ignored. "Basic seamanship is the core issue of this accident. Crew leaders must always plan the voyage, know the hazards, and verify position. This isn't optional, it's basic good seamanship and it's required all over the world," she said. The TAIC report found the Chokyu Maru No.68 had left Japan without large-scale paper charts —in particular a crucial chart showing the approaches to Auckland — or nautical publications setting out the safest route into Waitematā Harbour. The longliner also left Japan without a formal voyage plan. In the absence of detailed paper charts, the master relied on the chart plotter to determine the ship's position. However, electronic charts for New Zealand had not been installed, so the plotter did not display the small islands of the Hauraki Gulf. The TAIC investigation also found only one of the vessel's two radar units was in use at the time, because the crew believed the second unit was broken. ADVERTISEMENT It was in fact working, but the settings were unsuitable for identifying hazards. Without detailed charts or information about navigational risks, the master set a straight-line course to Auckland in the mistaken belief there was safe water all the way. The TAIC report stated it was "virtually certain" the crew would have identified the hazards and plotted a safe course, had they prepared a voyage plan in advance using proper charts and publications. The key lesson from the Chokyu Maru No.68 grounding was the "fundamental importance" of a well-researched and documented voyage plan. Since the accident, Cooke said Maritime NZ had taken steps to improve the safety of foreign-flagged fishing vessels in New Zealand waters. She said Maritime NZ inspectors now had better tools to identify and address safety issues, thanks to better access to world-wide data and the inclusion of fishing vessels in the international inspection regime. TAIC investigations aim to establish the cause of transport accidents and prevent similar incidents happening again. They do not seek to assign blame or lead to prosecution. ADVERTISEMENT
RNZ News
12-06-2025
- RNZ News
TAIC calls for stricter drone rules after near-miss with plane
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission said a near-miss between a plane and a drone above Auckland last year showed the need for better control over drones and their operators. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Charlotte Cook. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Scoop
TAIC Report – Drone Nearly Collides With A320 Passenger Plane
Press Release – Transport Accident Investigation Commission TAIC investigated a report of a near-collision between an Air New Zealand Airbus passenger flight and what was reported to be a drone, at 2000 feet on the approach to Auckland airport last April. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is highlighting the need for better identification and control of drones and operators. TAIC investigated a report of a near-collision between an Air New Zealand Airbus passenger flight and what was reported to be a drone, at 2000 feet on the approach to Auckland airport last April. The Commission found that it was very likely to have been a drone, in breach of current rules prohibiting drones from within 4 km of airports except in limited and approved circumstances. Neither the drone nor its operator could be identified. 'Most drone users comply with civil aviation rules, but some either don't know the rules or choose to disobey them due to an expectation they won't face consequences,' says TAIC Manager Air Investigations Jim Burtenshaw. 'The onus is on drone operators to avoid aircraft. People buying and flying a drone should first know how to operate it safely, and where they can't fly.' Information and other tools are available to assist operators to operate their drones safely and comply with the Civil Aviation Rules, for example on the AirShare website. 'There would very likely be more compliance with the rules with operator licencing/accreditation, registration of drones, electronic conspicuity or remote identification of drones and geo-fencing or geo-location awareness. TAIC recommends the Ministry of Transport and CAA work to work to fully integrate drones into the aviation system and develop appropriate rules and standards, to reflect technology developments and relevant international best practices.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Call for tighter rules after drone and plane nearly collide at Auckland Airport
Photo: 123RF The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is calling for tighter rules and standards after a drone nearly collided with a passenger plane. Investigators have been looking into a near-collision between an Air New Zealand passenger flight and what was likely a drone in April, 2024, after a close call at 2000 feet on the approach to Auckland Airport. The commission found the drone was in breach of rules prohibiting drones from within four kilometres of airports, excluding limited and approved circumstances. It said neither the drone nor its operator could be identified. Manager Air Investigations Jim Burtenshaw said the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority should look at fully integrating drones into the aviation system and develop rules to reflect developments and best practice. "Most drone users comply with civil aviation rules, but some either don't know the rules or choose to disobey them due to an expectation they won't face consequences," he said. "The onus is on drone operators to avoid aircraft. People buying and flying a drone should first know how to operate it safely, and where they can't fly."
NZ Herald
11-06-2025
- NZ Herald
TAIC urges stricter drone rules after ‘near-collision' with Air NZ flight approaching Auckland airport
Transport crash experts are calling for stricter drone registration rules after a near-miss between a passenger plane and a drone at Auckland Airport. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) investigated a report of a near-collision between an Air New Zealand Airbus passenger flight and what was reported to be a
