If the flight was VMC at FL160, and the photo's taken show they were, why was it not noticed that Beaufort Island was on the stbd side, and if they were on the track they thought they were on it should have been on the port side. Beaufort Island is plainly visible in some of the pax photos.
The Altitudes that were mandatory requirements. I do believe the original reason for going below 6,000ft was by invitation of the controller at McMurdo. Does this invitation overide CAA mandatory requirement??
Most know that the rules and regulations are bent at times to suit the occasion, but if they are disregarded one has to be very certain that they are fireproof, and if it turns to custard then there will be repercussions.
There are reports that the flight was advised by ground staff at McMurdo that the weather conditions were no good, in fact hopeless for sightseeing around the base and it was recommended that the flight proceed to the Dry Valleys which were reported clear. This procedure had been carried out on a previous flight due weather. The pax had been briefed that this was always a possibility. The person who did this advising from the ground at McMurdo was never called to give evidence at the Mahon enquiry.
Most know there was enough fault from all concerned, the Company, CAA for letting Air New Zealand be virtually self monitor the Antarctic operation, and by the crew. The cause for all this discussion would be Mahons findings that the crew were "In my opinion neither Captain Collins nor first officer Cassin nor the flight engineers made any error which contributed to the disaster, and were not responsible for its occurrence"
Obviously many very experienced aviators do not agree with this statement and never will. The fact that our prime minister, who has as much aeronautical experience as Justice Mahon, None, agrees with his finding does nothing to change any knowledgable persons view.