By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Mount Erebus Disaster Anniversary; Air New Zealand
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Mount Erebus Disaster Anniversary; Air New Zealand

Mount Erebus Disaster Anniversary; Air New Zealand

Travel Radar
Last updated: 30 November 2019 23:25
By Travel Radar Staff 3 Min Read
Share
SHARE

Forty years ago, flight TE901 left Auckland for an 11-hour sightseeing trip to Antarctica with 257 people on board. It never returned. On that day, 28 November 1979 all those on board died when the DC-11-30 crashed into the side of Mount Erebus on Ross Island.

But how?

Air New Zealand had been operating scenic flights over Antarctica for two years; they had been a great success. On that particular flight, Captain Jim Collins had descended to give passengers photo opportunities of the active volcano. He’d assumed he was on the same course as previous flights, descending over McMurdo Sound.

In the preparation for the flight a mistake was made resulting in coordinates being entered into the aircraft’s INS navigation system differing for the approved route flown previously; what had before been a safe descent to the east now led directly over Mt. Erebus. The crew were not told of the change. In addition, they breached the minimum safety altitude (MSA) of 16 000′ on approach to the area and 6 000′ south of the mountain. The aircraft descended to 2000′ in contravention of the MSA. ‘Sector white out’ conditions led the crew into believing that the mountainside they saw approaching was the Ross Ice Shelf rather than the slopes of the volcano.

At 12:49 pm the cockpit voice recorder captured the warnings from the ground proximity warning system as the aircraft passed through 500 feet. Although go-around power was applied, it was too late. Six seconds later, the aircraft hit the ground at an elevation of 1 467′.

The initial enquiry into the disaster concluded that the pilots were to blame for the accident, primarily for descending below the MSA. Public outrage prompted a further enquiry-the Mahon Inquiry- in 1981 which cleared the crew, laying blame on the airline for altering the fight plan and-crucially-not advising the crew of TE901. Mahon found that the descent was explained by an approval to descend below 6 000′ if authorised by air traffic control at the US McMurdo Sound base. Mahon’s report also accused management of Air New Zealand of a conspiracy to cover-up, but this was later rejected. The disaster and the bitterness surrounding the subsequent inquiries and legal disputes had an enormous effect on the confidence and innocence of New Zealand.

In 2009 the airline apologised for its behaviour in the aftermath of the disaster, but not for the accident itself. However at this year’s anniversary the chairwoman Therese Walsh offered a full apology as did Prime Minster Ardern on behalf of the Government.

The remains of the aircraft still lie on the slopes of Mt Erebus.

You Might Also Like

Qatar Rumoured to Gift 747-8 to Donald Trump

Hunnu Air Launches Embraer E2 Services from Mongolia to Mainland China

Turkish Technic: Istanbul to become global Rolls-Royce maintenance hub

Indian airports disrupted by ongoing closures

Delta and Korean Air to Acquire Minority Stakes in WestJet

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Travel Radar
By Travel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article Global Warming may CLOSE Greenland’s Airport
Next Article NATO Spends $1 Billion on Deal with Boeing

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Homeland security real id deadline
Domestic US flights now require a Real ID
Airports Aviation Breaking News
Kirkenes in Northern Norway
Finnair Launches New Destination of Kirkenes
Airlines Airports Aviation Route Development Travel
Lilo and Stitch livery on Hawaiian Airlines' Airbus A330 © Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines and Disney Reveal Lilo & Stitch Livery
Aircraft Airlines Aviation Travel
A photo of Belfast International Airport Arrivals
Belfast International Airport Unveils First Upgrade in £100 Million Plan
Airlines Airports Aviation Travel
Air Canada aircraft and The Landline Company motorcoach
Air Canada and The Landline Company Extend Agreement for Luxury Land-Air Connections
Airlines Airports Aviation Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?