Pages tagged with: erebus

Only one portion of the fuselage of the Air New Zealand DC-10 remained intact on the icy slopes of Mt Erebus.

On 28 November 1979, 237 passengers and 20 crew were killed when Air New Zealand Flight TE901 crashed into the side of Mt Erebus, Antarctica. The tragedy was followed by a demanding recovery operation and a raging debate over who or what was to blame

The disasters timeline and map give an overview of New Zealand's worst natural disasters, transport accidents, fires, mining accidents and other tragedies that have caused major loss of life.

How police responded to the disasters, particularly Tangiwai, Wahine and Erebus

Air New Zealand and Qantas began offering sightseeing flight over the Antarctic in February 1977.

The Erebus disaster was mainly caused by an unfortunate, late change in flight path and the white-out conditions in Antarctica.

How news of the Erebus disaster was relayed back to New Zealand

A 26-kg koru-shaped capsule located beside the Erebus disaster memorial cross on Mt Erebus.

Erebus memorial plaque at Kihikihi

Family members of Erebus disaster victims were invited to the unveiling of Momentum, a sculpture marking the significant events in Air New Zealand’s history.

The debate over who was to blame for the crash continues today.

Sound file from the memorial service held at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington

Sound extract from the Erebus memorial service at Scott Base on 2 December 1979

After confirmation was received that no one had survived the crash of TE901, expressions of sympathy began to arrive from around the country and around the world.

Resignations and court action followed the Erebus disaster inquiry

Deputy Leader at Scott Base, Ted Robinson, and building services officer, Garth Varcoe making the Erebus memorial cross that was dedicated in December 1979

Initial memorials and memorial services to mark the Erebus disaster

Recognition for contributions to the Erebus Operation Overdue has come in a number of ceremonies since 1980.

Judge Mahon disagreed with Chippindale's 'probable cause' that the pilot was at fault, and cleared the crew of any responsibility for the accident. Instead he laid the blame squarely with Air New Zealand.

Calls for a public inquiry into the Erebus disaster, which had begun shortly after the accident, continued amid the controversy of who received Chippindale's interim report.