At the 2004 meeting of The International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) held on the Gold Coast of Australia, Ron Chippendale was the recipient of the coveted Lederer Award. The award is conferred by ISASI to outstanding lifetime contributions in the field of aircraft accident investigation and prevention.
ISASI noted that one of Chippendale's most illustrious investigations was the 1979 crash of the ANZ DC10. "As Investigator in Charge of the accident his work on that case has been described as nothing short of brilliant, gaining international attention and respect. With a very small team, he managed an investigation that is said to be New Zealand's equivalent of TWA800. The investigation was conducted in a very difficult environment, both politically and culturally. Political pressures challenged his findings, but he survived, steadfastly expressing himself and standing by his principles on behalf of safety".