New Zealand CVR Litigation

[ockham hold]

Can anyone sum up in a paragraph or two the background to the case in New Zealand where the cockpit voice recording of an accident flight may be used in evidence. What is the current status ? I am writing a paper on human factors.

[Bleater]

The accident involved a Dash 8 which struck the top of a ridge in 1996. Four passengers were killed, both crew survived. Contributing factors were distraction from landing gear which had hung up on one side, a strong downdraft in the lee of the ridge and a GPWS warning which only came on in the final seconds.
As I understand it the Police eventually gained access to the CVR to press manslaugher charges. They toured the world after attempting to find someone to read it for them, being cops and not accident investigation this was difficult. I do not know wether they even succeeded as most outfits told them to go away.
ALPA NZ were heavily involved and there was concern that many CVRs were having the circuit breakers pulled. NZ Parliment passed a law essentially interpreting the international convention ( IATA 13 ? )on CVR to mean available to the Police for blatant negligence only. So the tape can still be used for prosecution in some cases, interpretation difficult.
Case finally had a depositions hearing in September. Judge rules CVR not admissable, possibly due to recently passed law. Main case still pending but turning to farce for the Police as they are unable to find a credible Dash 8/ IFR expert, and unable to use the CVR.

[ockham hold]

Thanks very much

[Bleater]

Hold,

Your e mail address is not working. If you are interested send me one, if you are as claimed I may be able to provide more information. Was living in the area at the time and saw the conditions on the ridge at the time of the crash. Unique is a word that comes to mind. I am in the London area.