The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its findings into the September 2024 Air New Zealand Christchurch–Wellington flight, in which the left engine of an ATR72-600 caught fire shortly before landing.
The TAIC found that a low-pressure turbine blade in the Pratt & Whitney Canada engine failed due to fatigue cracking, allowing oil to leak into the engine. The engine had been overhauled less than four flying hours earlier, and TAIC said the crack was likely present during the overhaul but not detected. It has made recommendations to Air New Zealand and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
All 70 passengers and four crew were evacuated, with some minor injuries. The evacuation took about 171 seconds, compared with the 90-second benchmark manufacturers must meet, and more than half the passengers took carry-on baggage despite instructions to leave it behind. Some passengers also walked near the engine and propellers after exiting.
Aviation Industry Association chief executive Simon Wallace said the aircraft’s safety system had worked effectively, but aspects of the evacuation could be improved. He said the airline should review how safety instructions were communicated, noting that briefings were sometimes treated as entertainment rather than something to focus on.
Air New Zealand chief safety and risk officer Nathan McGraw said the airline accepted the findings and had already strengthened training, procedures and passenger safety information. He noted TAIC found no evidence that Air New Zealand’s maintenance or operations contributed to the failure.
TAIC chief investigator of accidents Louise Cook described the incident as a rare but serious technical failure.