Mt Erebus - 30 years on


Memories of disaster still raw
Friday, 27 November 2009
The crash of the Air New Zealand DC10 on Mt Erebus, in which 257 people lost their lives, remains indelibly imprinted on the memories of Kiwis old enough to remember the tragedy. Nearly everyone knew somebody on the flight.

Crash investigator forced to quit
Friday, 27 November 2009
Thirty years after taking a long fight to vindicate the air crew who flew the DC10 in the tragic Erebus crash, Gordon Vette is adamant he would do it all again.

Accident cuts deep
Friday, 27 November 2009
Aviation historian Richard Waugh has considerable empathy with the pain felt by people who lost loved ones in the Mt Erebus air disaster, and the pain felt by the entire nation.

Kitting out recovery team
Friday, 27 November 2009
Preparing supplies, equipment and clothing for Antarctic workers is an essential task that survival can depend on.

Sorry to those who suffered a loss
Friday, 27 November 2009
A sculpture unveiled at Air New Zealand’s head office last month aims to act as a focal point to reflect on significant milestones in the airline’s history – from the induction of new aircraft types and opening new routes, to tragedies such as the air accidents on Mt Erebus and at Perpignan.

Those who died in Mt Erebus crash
Friday, 27 November 2009
Crew of the DC10: David Bennett (senior flight steward), Gordon Brooks (flight engineer), Elizabeth Carr-Smith (stewardess), Gregory Cassin (first officer), Graham Cater (flight steward), Martin Collins (purser), Thomas (Jim) Collins (captain), Michael Finlay (senior flight steward), Dianne Keenan (stewardess), James Lewis (flight steward), Graham Lucas (first officer).

Lessons from crash in France
Friday, 27 November 2009
Two members of the East Manukau community lost their lives when an Air New Zealand plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off Perpignan, France, a year ago.

Antarctica facts
Friday, 27 November 2009
The continent of Antarctica is the fifth biggest on Earth and accounts for 10 per cent of the planet’s land area.

Kiwi history in Antarctica
Friday, 27 November 2009
1773: Captain James Cook and the crews of his expedition ships Resolution and Adventure become the first explorers to cross the Antarctic Circle on January 17.

Early times of the frozen continent
Friday, 27 November 2009
Myths and speculation about a Terra Australis Incognita – or Unknown Southern Land – date back to antiquity.

The icy politics of Antartica
Friday, 27 November 2009
Antarctica belongs to no country – and has no government – but various countries claim areas of it.

Anniversary flight for family members
Friday, 27 November 2009
Air New Zealand is taking five next of kin of those lost in the Erebus tragedy to Antarctica for Saturday’s 30th anniversary commemorations.