Forensic Engineers & Investigators
High Profile Investigations by Prosolve Ltd.
A selection of high profile, media covered cases investigated by Andrew McGregor of Prosolve Ltd.
Hood Aerodrome Prosecution: CAA Withdraws Charges
The Civil Aviation Authority withdrew charges against Sky Sports Ltd, and its director Martin Lloyd, for alleged breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Charges were withdrawn as a result of a comprehensive investigation report by Prosolve Ltd.
CRASH OF A WARBIRDS DEVON
On the 3rd of February 2006, a warbirds Devon crashed on landing at Ohakea aerodrome. Fortunately no one was injured.
The crash of DQ-HPT, a Robinson 44 helicopter in Vanua Levu, Fiji
In August 2019, a Robinson 44 crashed at night while attempting to rescue a sick two year old boy from Naitauba Island and ferry him to Labasa hospital in Vanua Levu, Fiji.
However the helicopter operator did not receive the request until late in the day. The
helicopter was unable to reach the island with sufficient time to ferry the patient to
Labasa before nightfall and crashed en-route.
Andrew McGregor was engaged to investigate the accident on behalf of the Department of
Civil Aviation of Fiji and at the time of writing, the accident report had not yet been
formally released by Fiji’s Department of Civil Aviation.
COMMUTER TRAIN FIRE
"Passengers force doors of burning city train" on 23 February 2005, an engine of a Toll Rail passenger train caught fire resulting in the passenger compartments being evacuated. Andrew McGregor determined the cause of the fire and provided engineering advice to the NZ Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).
PAPER MACHINE FIRE
"Firefighters tame Kinleith blaze" on 16 August 2001, New Zealand’s largest paper machine caught fire. Andrew McGregor was engaged to investigate the cause of the fire on behalf of the plant owner, Carter Holt Harvey Ltd.
PLANE CRASHES: THREE DIE IN SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT
The Fijian government appointed Andrew McGregor as Investigator in Charge (IIC) under the international ICAO convention. The Fijian government requires the report and it’s findings to remain confidential.
TRAILER ROLL OVER CRASH
While returning from a job assignment, a contractor with a trailer that contained a heavy industrial generator drove his vehicle and trailer around a sharp bend in the road. The trailer started swaying violently before the corner and rolled after entering the bend. It crossed the centre line colliding with an oncoming car, killing one occupant and injuring the other. The Police charged the driver with careless driving.
In court Andrew McGregor showed that this accident was caused by a combination of factors that the defendant had little control over. The trailer and roll-over accident was instead due to the gusty wind conditions and fuel tank sloshing resonating with the natural frequency of the trailer suspension, resulting in a phenomenon called ‘roll resonance’. The defendant was acquitted.
The crash of DQ-FTR, a cessna 172 in the mountains of Vanua Levu, Fiji
Andrew McGregor was engaged by the Fiji’s Department of Civil Aviation in March 2018, to investigate the crash of a Cessna 172 in the mountains of Vanua Levu, during a training flight
IN FLIGHT BREAK UP OF IROQUOIS ZK-HJH
On 4 June 2001, an Iroquois helicopter broke up near Taumarunui, in the central North Island of New Zealand.The NZ Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) released its findings in February 2002.
WAIHEKE FERRY FIRE
"Fire forces Waiheke ferry evacuation" on 22 August 2004, the passenger ferry Superflyte was proceeding from Waiheke island to Auckland when a fire was discovered in the port engine room. All passengers were evacuated to other vessels that responded to the call.
IN FLIGHT BREAKUP OF A ROBINSON R44 HELICOPTER
Prosolve Ltd was engaged by the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji to investigate the crash of a helicopter that occurred on the day of the military coup in December 2006. As the story below explains the findings from the investigation were internationally significant.
TAIC'S FOX GLACIER CRASH INVESTIGATION BUNGLE
According to the official finding published by New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), the 2010 Fox Glacier air crash that killed nine people was caused by improper loading of the skydive plane. At least that was the official finding published by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. But as this story asks, could that be wrong? And why was some of the wreckage buried within days of the disaster?
SIMON GREENWOOD FOUND NOT GUILTY
In January 2018, Mr Greenwood was riding his motorcycle near Mangakura on SH 16 and
returning to Auckland from Whangarei with his partner riding as a pillion passenger.
Approaching the Mangakura boat club he checked the way was clear to the South before
beginning to overtake a line of cars.
However during the overtaking maneuver, one of the cars pulled out in front of the
motorcycle and attempted to turn right into the boat club. His motorcycle crashed into
the rear of the car and both he and his partner were thrown clear. Regrettably, his
partner died at the scene.
The police charged Mr Greenwood for operating a vehicle carelessly causing death.
Andrew McGregor provided forensic expertise in his defence which was led by Mr David
Jones QC. Following his trial in June 2021, Mr Greenwood was acquitted.