Crew aboard the HMNZS Manawanui left the ship on autopilot, which caused it to crash into a reef and sink, according to a preliminary investigation.

A military investigation has found series of human errors caused a New Zealand navy ship to plough into a Samoan reef and sink in October.

Human error led to the sinking of a New Zealand Navy vessel earlier this year, a Court of Inquiry has found. The HMNZS Manawanui was carrying out survey work off the coast of the South Pacific island of Samoa on Oct. 5 when it ran aground on a reef. The crew abandoned the ship, which subsequently caught fire, capsized and sunk. No lives were lost.