NZHistory, New Zealand history online - erebus disaster

Air New Zealand plane fuselage on Mt Erebus

Only one portion of the fuselage of the Air New Zealand DC-10 remained intact on the icy slopes of Mt Erebus. Red and green flags respectively mark out the search area in a grid pattern and indicate the site of human remains. This method was used to identify and document finds of human remains and property.

Recovery operation begins

A break in the weather allowed the first members of the Erebus Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team to leave McMurdo Station at 8.30 a.m. (NZST)* on 3 December 1979. Deteriorating weather initially hampered efforts to get the remaining team members up to the site, and a blizzard later that evening prevented any work until early the following day. Bob Mitchell, the search and rescue coordinator leading the recovery operation, had flown in with the initial DVI team. But he returned to McMurdo prior to the blizzard and advised the media contingent that they hoped to recover more than the 50 to 70 bodies mentioned previously.

Lone woman

Only one woman worked at the crash site, US Navy Flight-Surgeon Sandra Deegan. She had the task of examining the bodies and formally announcing that they were dead.

There was pressure to complete the recovery operation quickly because the ice runway at McMurdo would begin to thaw in mid-December, making it unusable by wheeled aircraft. This would greatly restrict the movement of aircraft, making it difficult to return bodies to New Zealand.

After the blizzard cleared the mountaineers on site broke the bridges that had formed above the crevasses and marked them with red flags (bodies and human remains were marked by green flags). The surveyors completed their grid pattern and the DVI teams began to search 30 m square grids over the wreckage area of approximately 700 by 120 m. They tagged, photographed and bagged bodies, remains and personal belongings with reference to the grid pattern. There were five DVI teams - each made up of two policemen, one mountaineer, and one photographer. McMurdo provided the men who acted as photographers.

Skua gulls

Skua gulls were an ongoing source of anguish to those involved in the recovery operation. The gulls attacked bodies at the crash site, even after they were placed in body bags. They were hard to scare off and the DVI teams eventually took to covering the bodies in ice and snow while awaiting their removal to McMurdo.

Mitchell had planned for the DVI teams to work in 12-hour shifts, with a break offsite before returning. But their determination saw the men work between 15 and 20 hours a day for four days, with just short breaks onsite in their tents. The first bodies were transported back to a temporary mortuary at McMurdo by US Navy helicopters on 4 December, just hours after the start of the operation; the last followed on 10 December.

Eight of the 12 volunteers assisting US Navy Flight-Surgeon James Goodrum at the temporary mortuary at McMurdo were Americans stationed there. They volunteered in the hope this would limit the number of New Zealanders from Scott Base needed to handle the bodies of their countrymen.

Throughout this period the site investigation continued. It operated alongside, and where appropriate in concert with, the recovery operation. At the crash site itself the two teams shared food and accommodation, and assisted each other, for example when wreckage needed to be moved to uncover bodies. Back at McMurdo a police sergeant, flown in after the main police contingent to sort through belongings recovered from the site, passed on rolls of passengers' films for the US Navy to develop for investigators.

*On the day of the Erebus disaster there was a one-hour time difference between New Zealand and McMurdo Station. New Zealand was observing daylight saving time, which Scott Base and McMurdo Station did not begin observing until 1992/93.

Next page: Site investigation and recovery operation conclude

Credit:

Image: New Zealand Police.
Permission of the New Zealand Police required for any reuse of this image.

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Koru capsule on Mt Erebus

A koru-shaped capsule located beside the Erebus disaster memorial cross on Mt Erebus. It contains messages from relatives of the victims of the disaster which were collected for the 30th anniversary commemorations. The 26-kg capsule was due to be placed at the site on the anniversary by six relatives of the victims of the disaster visiting Antarctica, but bad weather prevented them from reaching the crash site. It was eventually taken there in January 2010.

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Image: © R McPhail.

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Erebus memorial at Kihikihi

Erebus memorial plaque at Kihikihi, just south of Te Awamutu. It is fixed to a tree beside the Rewi Maniapoto memorial (partly visible in the background). The memorial is dedicated to Cecil (Cecillia Campbell) and Jack (John Barnham) Emmett who were killed in the Erebus disaster on 28 November 1979. It was presented by the Women's Division of Federated Farmers.

The front page of the Te Awamutu Courier on 29 November 1979 records that the couple had farmed at Arohena for some years before moving to a property at Orakau a few years previously. A memorial service was held for them at the Kihikihi Presbyterian Church on 8 December 1979.

Further information

Sister hopes to visit Erebus, Manawatu Standard, 23 March 2010 (stuff.co.nz)
Sister of victims visits Erebus site, Manawatu Standard, 1 March 2011 (stuff.co.nz)

Credit:

David Green, 2009

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Air NZ momentum sculpture

The sculpture Momentum, marking the significant events in Air New Zealand’s history, was unveiled at Air New Zealand headquarters in Auckland on 23 October 2009. Family members of the victims of the Erebus disaster were invited to the ceremony, at which Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe apologised to those affected by the tragedy for Air New Zealand's failures and for its treatment of families of the victims.

The sculpture by Christchurch artist Phil Price represents a focal point for reflection on all the significant events in the national airline’s history, from the induction of new aircraft types and opening of new routes to tragedies like the air accidents on Mt Erebus and near Perpignan. At the heart of the sculpture is the theme of momentum, capturing the allure of flight. The sculpture, whose movement will be powered by the wind, is an interaction between physical and environmental elements and a reminder of the fragile nature of flight and the dynamics of the forces at play.

Scene from the unveiling ceremony

Read the address by Rob Fyfe at the unveiling ceremony (Air NZ website) and see him speaking the ceremony (TVNZ Ondemand).

Credit:

Images © Air New Zealand.

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Ongoing debate over Erebus

Minister of Transport Maurice Williamson tabling the Mahon report in the House of Representatives in 1999.

The ongoing debate

The debate over whether pilot error or Air New Zealand was at fault for the Erebus disaster continues today. It is often stirred up by media interest or by events held on significant anniversaries of the disaster.

On 18 August 1999 the Minister of Transport, Maurice Williamson, who worked at Air New Zealand as a corporate planner at the time of the crash, tabled the Mahon report in Parliament. Present for the occasion were Maria Collins and Anne Cassin, the widows of two of the pilots on the flight, and Margarita Mahon, Justice Peter Mahon's widow.

Williamson argued that the time for apportioning blame was over and that he was tabling the report because 'of the lessons it taught'. He commented that:

The International Civil Aviation Organisation says the report was 10 years ahead of its time; that subsequent high-technology systems catastrophes such as those at Chenobyl and Bhopal need not have happened if the international safety community had grasped the message from Erebus and adopted its prevention lessons.

Passing on

Many of the key players involved in the investigation and Inquiry have died in the years since the Erebus disaster. They include Justice Peter Mahon, Morrie Davis, the chief executive of Air New Zealand at the time of the crash, and Ron Chippindale, the chief air accident investigator.

But the announcement once again stimulated debate over who was at fault. Some involved in the accident investigation and Royal Commission of Inquiry argued that Williamson should also be tabling the judgements of the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council on the report. NZ First MP Robyn McDonald, whose father E.T. Kippenberger was the director of the Civil Aviation Division at the time of the crash, attempted to table these judgements but was refused permission to do so.

Momentum sculpture

On 23 October 2009, Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe unveiled a sculpture 'Momentum' marking the significant events in Air New Zealand's history, including the Erebus disaster. During the ceremony he apologised to those affected by the tragedy for Air New Zealand's failures and for its treatment of families of the victims. He commented:

I can't turn the clock back, but as I look forward, I would like to start this next step in our journey - by saying sorry. Sorry to all those who suffered the loss of a loved one or were affected by the Erebus tragedy and who did not receive the support and compassion they should have from Air New Zealand.

For many this apology did not go far enough. Maria Collins, the wife of Captain Jim Collins, the pilot of Flight TE901, noted that it was a step in the right direction. But she still hopes to clear her husband's name, commenting that his 'integrity is still very much on the line and I'm still keen to see that intact again'.

Next page: Expressions of sympathy

Credit:

Image: still shot from Erebus Disaster: Mahon Report provided on YouTube by TVNZ OnDemand.

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Erebus memorial service in Wellington

At the memorial service held at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington, a member of the USA embassy staff reads a lesson, followed by some commentary by David Ross and some singing.

Transcript

Embassy speaker: And God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

David Ross: It was a simple ceremony of prayer and hymn that had an ecumenical and international influence drawn together to mourn for those who've died in New Zealand's greatest ever disaster. This is David Ross. [singing until fades out]

Sound file: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Reference: News highlights compilation, 1963-1988, CD Two, track 17.

Image: still shot from Erebus Investigation - Part 5 provided on YouTube by TVNZ OnDemand.

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Erebus memorial service at Scott Base

Bill Birch, the Minister of Science and Technology, reads a lesson at a brief memorial service held at Scott Base on 2 December 1979, four days after the Erebus disaster. Then Father Gerard Creagh, leads the small congregation in a prayer. All sing 'God Defend New Zealand'.

Transcript

Bill Birch: The fourth reading is from Romans Chapter 8, verses 31 to 39.

In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God who did not even keep back his own Son but offered him for us all. He gave us his Son; will he not also freely give us all things? Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty. Who then will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus who died, or rather, who was raised to life, and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us. Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship, or persecution, or hunger, or poverty, or danger, or death? As the scripture says: ‘For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered'. No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us, for I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below, there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God, which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Father Gerard Creagh: Let us pray now to remember those who have died in Antarctica. We recall before you oh gracious Lord the many people who died on Flight 901 [can hear others join in prayer]. In your mercy comfort in their grief all those who mourn loved ones lost in this tragedy. May these deaths remind us that we are only travellers or guests in this hostile place, just as we are strangers and foreigners in this world with its many sorrows. Be merciful and grant us, when our time in your service here on earth is through, a place in your eternal presence where we shall see your glory fully and know you completely, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God forever Amen.

The final hymn will be God of Nations [God Defend New Zealand]. We'll have to do it unaccompanied. So we all know it quite well I think. [Singing begins]

Bill Birch, the Minister of Science and Technology, reading a lesson at a brief memorial service held at Scott Base on 2 December 1979, four days after the Erebus disaster. The service was conducted by Father Gerard Creagh, with other lessons read by Bob Thomson and Mike Prebble.

Image: still shot from Erebus Investigation - Part 5 provided on YouTube by TVNZ OnDemand.

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Expressions of sympathy after Erebus disaster

Message from Air New Zealand published in major newspapers around the country on 1 December 1979.

Expressions of sympathy

After confirmation was received that no one had survived the crash of TE901 expressions of sympathy began to arrive from around New Zealand and the world. Queen Elizabeth II conveyed her sympathy to the Governor-General, Sir Keith Holyoake, noting that 'a disaster of such magnitude must touch all New Zealanders'. She also no doubt recalled the impact of the Tangiwai rail disaster of 1953, which occurred during her first royal visit to New Zealand. The Prime Minister, Rob Muldoon, was among the many New Zealanders who expressed shock at the tragedy and extended their sympathy to the friends and family of the victims.

On 1 December, the Saturday following the disaster, New Zealand newspapers carried a full-page advertisement from Air New Zealand, in which the airline expressed its 'profound feelings of sympathy and concern' to those who had lost friends and family. It also thanked people for the 'condolence and support' they had provided to the airline and the nation. On the same day touching personal notices placed by individual Air New Zealand staff members appeared in the New Zealand Herald. They expressed feelings of 'deepest and heartfelt sympathy' to the family and friends of their fellow crew members.

Next page: Initial memorials and memorial services

Credit:

Newspaper article from 1 December 1979.

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Court action following Erebus disaster inquiry

Headline about the resignation of Judge Mahon, who presided over the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Erebus disaster. Mahon resigned from the bench of the High Court in January 1982.

Resignations and court action

Justice Peter Mahon's accusation that Air New Zealand had presented 'an orchestrated litany of lies' at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Erebus disaster drew an almost immediate response from the airline. Hours after his report was released on 27 April 1981 Air New Zealand chief executive Morrie Davis made a brief media statement rejecting the allegations made against him. The following day the chair of Air New Zealand's board, C.M. Mace, advised that they had instructed counsel to begin High Court proceedings to set aside the Inquiry's findings 'in the area of staff integrity'. Their decision was quickly backed by Prime Minister Rob Muldoon.

Court of Appeal

Air New Zealand asked for their judicial review of the Inquiry's allegations and findings to be heard in the Court of Appeal rather than the High Court. Their request was initially rejected, but later accepted because of 'the magnitude of the disaster', 'the public importance of the issues' and 'the conduct of an inquiry held by a high court judge'.

On 3 May Mace advised that the Board was standing behind Davis, but on 4 May Davis announced he was retiring. He explained that this was not an admission of guilt, but 'an attempt to remove a focus point from the current controversy and by doing so hasten the recovery of the company'.

Further investigations

The State Services Commission also responded quickly to Mahon's criticisms of the Civil Aviation Division (CAD) of the Ministry of Transport. Amid calls for the Director of CAD, Captain E.T. Kippenberger, to be removed from office, they set up an internal inquiry to determine whether any employees of CAD should be charged under the State Services Act 1962. On 8 June 1981 their report was released. It found that there were ‘significant shortfalls in the overall performance of civil aviation in relation to the Antarctic flights' but there was no act that made them in any way 'culpable' for the Erebus disaster.

During the same period a police investigation was also underway. Immediately after Mahon's report was released Chief Superintendent Brian Wilkinson and a small team of police officers had been asked to investigate whether 'charges of conspiring to defeat the course of justice, and perjury' by employees of Air New Zealand could be sustained. Air New Zealand's Board had put 12 employees who were witnesses at the Inquiry on restricted duties on 3 May 'for potential safety factors' and because of the pressure they would be under during the police inquiry. After several months of investigation the police decided against charging anyone and the Air New Zealand staff members returned to normal duties.

Court action

In October 1981 the judicial review Air New Zealand had requested of the Inquiry's findings 'in the area of staff integrity' began in the Court of Appeal. These findings were challenged on the grounds that 'they were made unfairly, in disregard of natural justice and without jurisdiction'.

Gordon Vette

In June 1982 Captain Gordon Vette, who had given evidence that Air New Zealand was at fault at the Royal Commission of Inquiry, resigned from the company. He admitted that he regretted ending his time with the airline but that he was in an uncomfortable situation. He commented 'there were a lot more casualties out of Erebus than those who died on the mountain'.

The Court delivered its judgements in December. They noted that the proceedings were not related to the Inquiry's findings on the cause of the crash but 'the conduct of certain officers of Air New Zealand'. They concluded that in this regard Mahon had breached natural justice by not allowing those accused to respond to the allegations. They also concluded that he had acted outside his jurisdiction with the accusation regarding 'an orchestrated litany of lies'. His order of costs against the airline was quashed.

Mahon subsequently offered to resign from the High Court bench. His resignation was accepted by Cabinet in January 1982.

Following Mahon's resignation Ron Chippindale, the chief air accident investigator who headed the original investigation into the crash, spoke out, arguing that Mahon's report ‘abounds in errors’. A report Chippindale prepared for the Minister of Transport in response to Mahon's report in 1981 was subsequently released in February 1982. Chippindale argued:

My significant difference of opinion with the report of the Royal Commission is that the crew's assumption of where they were going was not sufficient excuse for descending without establishing their position as accurately as possible with the navigation aids available to them.

Principles of 'good airmanship' which obligated flight crews to fix their position before descending below minimum safe altitude was an issue that had been raised by Air New Zealand previously. It was also raised by Sir Rochford Hughes, a retired Air Marshal of the Royal Air Force, who provided technical assistance to the Inquiry. In February 1982 Rochford advised that he fundamentally supported Mahon's conclusions that organisational failure was to blame for the accident and that the briefing had given the wrong impression of the route. But he also argued that the pilot should not have implicitly trusted the aircraft's navigation system and should have made a permanent fix before descending below minimum safe altitude.

Despite his resignation Mahon decided to appeal to the Privy Council against the Court of Appeal's judgement and the government agreed to pay his costs. A four-week hearing was held in July 1983. In October the Privy Council 'very reluctantly' agreed with the Court of Appeal's judgements and dismissed Mahon's appeal. They also placed on record a tribute to the 'brilliant and painstaking investigative work done by the judge'.

In November 1987 a claim against the United States government on behalf of 16 of the crew members killed in the Erebus disaster was heard in the United States over several days. This argued that US Navy air traffic controllers at McMurdo Station should have warned the flight crew that the aircraft was heading for Mt Erebus. In July 1988 the judge dismissed the case. He ruled that the air traffic controllers were not to blame for the crash, concluding that it 'was the fault of Air New Zealand and of the flight crew'.

Next page: Ongoing debate

Further information

Legal process (NZALPA's Erebus website)

Credit:

The Press 27 Jan 1982

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Making the Erebus memorial cross

The deputy leader at Scott Base, Ted Robinson, and building services officer Garth Varcoe making the Erebus memorial cross that was dedicated in December 1979.

Many of those involved in the site investigation and recovery operation assisted with its construction, taking 'one or two shavings off it with a plane' or 'rubbing a little oil into the wood'.

Credit:

Permission of Antarctica New Zealand must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

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