Mount Cook AT72 at Auckland on Aug 22nd 2014, smoke in cockpit

A Mount Cook Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A on behalf of Air New Zealand, registration ZK-MCA performing flight NZ-5231 from Auckland to New Plymouth (New Zealand), was climbing out of Auckland when the crew stopped the climb at about FL116, declared emergency reporting smoke in the cockpit and returned to Auckland for a safe landing about 16 minutes after departure. After checks by emergency services the aircraft was able to taxi to the apron, where passengers disembarked normally.

A listener on frequency reported that the crew reported smoke in the cockpit declaring emergency, attending emergency services did not need to intervene and the aircraft taxied to the apron.

The flight was cancelled, the passengers were rebooked onto the next flights.