The Air New Zealand Q300 plane ZK-NES. Photo: 123rf
An investigation is underway into a near-miss involving an Air New Zealand passenger plane and a light aircraft over Northland.
The "close proximity event" occurred over Brynderwyn, 70km south of Whangārei, about 10am on 28 August.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said a 50-seat Air New Zealand De Havilland Q300 was flying from Whangārei to Auckland, and a four-seater Beechcraft 76 Duchess was flying in the opposite direction when the incident occurred.
The Air New Zealand plane took evasive action to avoid a collision.
A TAIC spokesperson said there was no collision, no damage and no injuries.
The commission would not make any further comment, including about how close the two aircraft were to each other, until enquiries had been completed.
The investigation would not seek to lay blame, but to ascertain what had happened and how to prevent it occurring again.
TAIC investigations generally take about 18 months to complete.
A spokesperson for Air New Zealand said the company could not comment.
According to the New Zealand Aircraft Register, the smaller plane is owned by the Auckland-based aircraft lease company B76 Group.
The Beechcraft 76 Duchess is a twin-engine plane, popular with flying schools, with room for a pilot and three passengers.
