Dash 8 pilots forgot to reinstate prior descent mode before low approach at night to Timaru

An Air New Zealand De Havilland Dash 8-300 experienced a near-miss during a nighttime approach to Timaru due to pilot error regarding descent modes. Investigators determined that the crew became focused on visual references, leading them to unintentionally descend below the glideslope. The incident occurred three months after Air New Zealand alerted crews about the importance of mode awareness. Specifically, pilots failed to reinstate the prior descent mode before initiating the low approach. This oversight contributed directly to the aircraft’s deviation from its intended flight path and highlighted critical operational procedures.