Technological (man-made) hazards

Aircraft accident

Aircraft Accidents

Between 1996-1999 there were approximately 40 aircraft accidents in Auckland, approximately 13% of the total accidents recorded throughout New Zealand over this period. The majority of accidents occur upon small aircraft less than 2 721 kg of weight. Since 1990 there have been 11 accidents involving moderate sized aircraft (aircraft > 13 608 kg), four in 1990, two in 1991, one in 1993, three in 1995, and one in 1997.

Are there more or less accidents than before?

Except for helicopters, the long-term (since 1994/95) accident rate (accidents/hours flown) is decreasing.

To date, in Auckland, there have not been any aircraft accidents large enough to require a large scale, co-ordinated response from Civil Defence and the Emergency Services. However, aircraft accidents involving many fatalities are not uncommon world wide, and a large scale event could conceivably occur in Auckland sometime in the future.

A plausible worst case scenario would have consequences in the order of magnitude of those experienced as a result of a 747 and smaller aircraft colliding. For example consequences could be in the order of:

Passenger and crew fatalities: ~ 400 people.

Impact of various sections of the plane over a 4-5 km populated area and subsequent fires could cause:

• on ground fatalities: ~ 250 people
• on ground injuries, some of them serious: ~300
• structural and fire damage to 20-30 buildings. Fires would have to be put out quickly to prevent more buildings being damaged
• damage and disruption to above ground infrastructure e.g. power transmission lines, road blockages
• car accidents: could be numerous (20-40 vehicles) if the aircraft accident occurred during peak hours
• severe psychological impacts due to the large loss of life and random nature of the incident
• potential for impact upon our tourism industry, especially considering a proportion of the dead are likely to have been international visitors
• severe pressure upon our emergency and health services, and mortuary services.