Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
24 Oct 2012

CAA RELEASE

Begins

CAA releases interim report on investigation into dangerous goods carried on passenger plane

The Director of Civil Aviation Graeme Harris, today released an interim report into the Royal New Zealand Air Force shipping of inadequately prepared and wrongly categorised dangerous goods on an Air New Zealand passenger flight, from Auckland to Vancouver on 23 August 2009.

“The CAA’s Manager Safety Investigation, Ben Smith, conducted a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in order to establish the facts involved and identify issues meriting further investigation. His report was informed, in part, by the comprehensive findings of an RNZAF Court of Inquiry into the incident that was conducted in November 2009. The interim report reveals that significant failings within the RNZAF, and a number of administrative and communication errors led to the particular Dangerous Goods items, which are not permitted to be carried on passenger aircraft, being carried on the Air New Zealand flight. Of particular concern is the incorrect labeling, categorisation and preparation of the cargo for shipping.” Mr. Harris said

“The ongoing CAA investigation is not conducted to apportion blame. We are interested in promoting the improvement of systems, processes and procedures to reduce the risk of this type of incident occurring again. Accordingly, and due to the passage of time, the CAA will not be prosecuting any of the parties involved.” He said

It is expected the CAA will provide a final report and recommendations for any improvement in the processes involved in the shipping of Dangerous Goods, particularly those of military origin, in the first half of next year.

Mr Harris said he was very pleased with the open co-operation the CAA received from all parties involved in the preliminary investigation. He said this confirmed that there was a unified focus on the improvement of aviation safety outcomes.

“Consistent with our practise of releasing the findings of our safety investigations, the interim report is now available on the CAA web site,” Mr Harris said.

The CAA is writing to airfreight agents and freight forwarders and reminding them of their existing disclosure responsibilities to airline operators around correct procedures for the carriage of dangerous goods.

ENDS

RNZAF_AirNZ_DG_Prelim.pdf

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