Air accident inspector John Goddard investigates the wreckage of a glider which crashed in the Akatarawa valley near Wellington in 1985, killing the pilot. Following standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, New Zealand formally investigates all air accidents with a view to preventing future disasters. Analysing and reporting on aviation accidents was the role of the Office of Air Accidents Investigation until 1990, when the Transport Accident Investigation Commission took over. The commission looks at accidents involving all modes of transport.